2012, Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Manulife has recently sponsored the National SME Business Model Competition 2012-2013. Organized by University of Puthisastra (UP) and Cambodia International Education Support Foundation (CIESF), the event took place at Cambodian-Japan Coorporation Center (CJCC) and has objective to promote entrepreneurship among young Cambodians and to also launch new businesses and social ventures. Working in a group of three students from various universities, they have designed their business models and tested their business model assumptions by “getting out of the building” and interacting with partners and consumers.
At the event and acting as one of the judge, Mr. Robert Elliott, CEO & GM of Manulife Cambodia commented: “Manulife is here is not only for business but also giving back to community. On behalf of Manulife, I applaud the students for their efforts and creativities in this business competition. I also thank the University of Puthisastra and the CIESF for their meaningful program “the National SME Business Model Competition”. I hope that this program will inspire Cambodians – particularly young people – to develop their entrepreneurial spirit and take positive actions to help developing Cambodia human resource, especially in business skill and bring it to the high level of ASEAN community.”