Canada–Cambodia CEO Roundtable Highlights New Pathways for Bilateral Business Cooperation
NEWS RELEASE
May 29th, 2025
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and Manulife Cambodia, successfully co-hosted the Canada–Cambodia CEO Roundtable on May 29, 2025, in Phnom Penh. This high-level, closed-door session was held with the support of Canada Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (CanCham Cambodia) and it brought together over 15 senior leaders from government and the private sector from Canada and Cambodia to explore opportunities for strengthening economic cooperation between Canada and Cambodia. The participating companies include ABA Bank, WorldBridge, OCIC, Chip Mong Group, and Mekong Strategic Capital.
Held on the sidelines of the Team Canada Trade Mission to Cambodia, the CEO roundtable was designed to foster candid dialogue on practical strategies for deepening Canada-Cambodia engagement across sectors including financial services, agriculture, green energy, technology, and infrastructure.
The roundtable featured keynote remarks by H.E. Dr. Sok Siphana, Senior Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia, who emphasized Cambodia’s commitment to sustainable economic development and welcomed deeper collaboration with Canadian partners. Participants also heard from Mr. Stephen Higgins, Managing Partner at Mekong Strategic Capital, who delivered an insightful briefing on Cambodia’s macroeconomic outlook, and Mr. Long Kemvichet, Director General for International Trade at the Ministry of Commerce, who provided an update on the ASEAN–Canada Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
Wayne Farmer, President of the Canada-ASEAN Business Council, remarked "This roundtable reflects our shared vision to expand Canada–Cambodia economic ties through dialogue and concrete business collaborations. We are proud to support CABC members and Canadian companies in navigating emerging opportunities in Cambodia and in the wider, dynamic ASEAN region."
Rotha Chan, CEO and General Manager of Manulife Cambodia, added: "Rotha Chan, CEO and General Manager of Manulife Cambodia, added: "Our collaboration with Canadian businesses not only brings investment into Cambodia but also fosters innovation and sustainable growth. Engaging with fellow CEOs during this roundtable was invaluable for Manulife, as it provided us with fresh perspectives and strategic insights that will enhance our ability to serve our clients and contribute to the economic development of both nations.”
The discussion concluded with a strong emphasis on the importance of continued public-private collaboration, especially in areas aligned with Cambodia’s development goals and Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy.
The CABC and Manulife extend their appreciation to all participants for their valuable contributions and look forward to supporting the next steps in fostering a resilient and inclusive Canada–Cambodia business relationship.
About the Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC)
Established in 2012, the CABC is a leading voice of the Canadian private sector in the Canada-ASEAN economic corridor. As Canada’s first and only ASEAN-accredited entity, the CABC is dedicated to driving deeper Canada-ASEAN economic ties and supports its network of about 90 distinguished members through policy advocacy, networking events, and research insights.