Identifies common practices used in selling in this market, including sales material that needs to be in the local language.
Approximately 80 percent of Cambodia’s population lives in rural areas. The disparity in economic development between rural areas and Phnom Penh is substantial. Within Phnom Penh, billboards, leaflets, and storefront selling techniques are more common. Advertising through social media is becoming increasingly popular. In rural areas, the most effective way to reach potential consumers is through broadcast media; in particular, radio and television programming have deep penetration in rural Cambodia. Trade fairs are also an increasingly popular way to market products.
Local vendors use a variety of advertising methods. Promotional campaigns using coupons, lucky draws, and discounts are popular and target consumers at local markets, shops, restaurants, internet cafés, and movie theaters. Billboards are present on many streets in Phnom Penh and are used in provincial capitals as well. Small advertisement boards on tuk tuks are a low-cost option for businesses that want to attract city-dwellers. Leaflets are also a popular advertising technique.
Most consumers are price sensitive. While American products are generally viewed as higher quality, many consumers will opt for products from China or Thailand because they are cheaper. In Phnom Penh, where government and industry are centered, prices are higher, and branded products are more popular. There is an expanding middle class, supported by the presence of numerous international organizations, diplomatic missions, and international businesses.
Sales Service/Customer Support
After-sales service and customer support are new concepts in Cambodia. The limited supply of spare parts for some brands of automobiles, for example, has contributed to the failure of those brands to increase market share against brands with more readily available parts. Depending on the products and services, Cambodian agents, distributors, and consumers may expect after-sales services from their U.S. suppliers, including product warranties for a specified period, training, advertising and promotion, and availability of spare parts. Providing after-sales service could be an effective method of boosting sales and winning customer loyalty.
BNG Legal
Address: No. 65B, Street 111, Sangkat Boeung Prolit, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Contact person: Mr. Naryth Hour Hem, Managing Director
Tel: (+855) 92 100 094/(855) 23 217 510 (Cambodia)
Fax: (+855) 23 212 840
E-mail: cambodia@bnglegal.com / ipr@bnglegal.com
DFDL Mekong Legal and Tax Advisers
Address: No. 30, Norodom Boulevard, 4 Floor BRED Bank Building, Sangkat Phsar Thmey 3, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
Contact person: Mr. Guillaume Massin, Managing Director
Tel: (+855) 23 210 400
Fax: (+855) 23 214 053
E-mail: cambodia@dfdl.com
Deloitte (Cambodia) Co., Ltd
Address: Vattanac Capital Tower (8th Floor)
#66 Preah Monivong Blvd, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Duan Penh, Phnom Penh
Tel: (855) 23 963 777
Fax number: (855) 23 963 778
Email: khenquiries@deloitte.com
Edenbridge Asia
Address: Norodom Blvd & Street 178, 6th Floor, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Tel: (855) 218 257 / (855) 78 777 417
E-Mail: info@edenbridge.asia
Website: Edenbridge Asia
Ernst & Young (Cambodia) Ltd.
Address: 5th Floor, Emerald Building
No. 64, Preah Norodom Blvd, Sangkat Chey Chumneah, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
Tel: (855) 23 860 450 / (855) 23 860 451
Fax: (855) 23 217 805
E-Mail: eykoc@kh.ey.com
HBS Law
Address: Levels 4 & 5, SOMA TOWER, St.120 and Preah Monivong Blvd, Sangkat Psar Thmey 2, Phnom Penh
Tel: (855)23 224 337
Fax: (855)23 224 136
Email: info@hbslaw.asia
Website: HBS Law
KPMG Cambodia Limited
Address: Delano Center, 4th Floor, No. 144, Street. 169, Sangkat Veal Vong, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh
Contact person: Michael Gordon, Senior Partner
Tel: (855) 23 216 899
Fax: (855) 23 216 405
E-mail: kpmg@kpmg.com.kh
Morison Kak & Associé
Address: Villa No. 27, Street 440, Sangkat Tuol Tompoung 1, Khan Chamkamon, Phnom Penh,
Contact person: Mr. Key Kak, Chairman
Tel: (855) 23 218 994
Fax: (855) 23 218 993
E-mail: mka.audit@morisonkak.com
PWC
Address: No. 58C, Sihanouk Blvd, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh
Contact person: Kuy Lim, Partner
Tel: (855) 23 860 606
Fax: (855) 23 211 594
E-mail: pwc.cambodia@kh.pwc.com
Sarin & Associates (Law Firm)
Address: No. 30, Norodom Boulevard, 4 Floor BRED Bank Building, Sangkat Phsar Thmey 3, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
Contact person: Mr. Denora Sarin
Tel: (855) 23 210 400
E-mail: sarin.associates@gmail.com
Sciaroni and Associates (Legal Advisors)
Address: No. 24, Street 462, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkarmorn, Phnom Penh
Tel: (855) 23 210 225
Fax: (855) 23 213 089
Contact person: Mr. Bretton Sciaroni, Senior Partner
E-mail: info@sa-asia.com
Sok Siphana & Associates
Address: Maybank Tower, 8th Floor, No. 43, Preah Norodom Boulevard, Sangkat Phsar Thmey 3, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
Tel: (855) 23 999 878
Fax: (855) 23 999 878
Email: info@soksiphana.com
Tilleke & Gibbins (Cambodia) Ltd.
Address: 16th Floor, Phnom Penh Tower, #445, Monivong Blvd., Sangkat Boeung Pralit, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh
Tel: (855) 23 964 210
Fax: (855) 23 964 215
Email: cambodia@tilleke.com
VDB Loi
Address: No. 33, Street 294 (corner of Street 29), Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkarmon, Phnom Penh
Contact: Mr. Potim Yun, Legal Partner, and Principal, potim.yun@vdb-loi.com
Tel: (855) 23 964 430
Fax: (855) 23 964 154
Principal Busienss Assoctaions
Below is the listing of principal business associations in Cambodia.
American Chamber of Commerce Cambodia
Address: SINET Building, 2nd Floor, 93 Preah Sihanouk Boulevard, Phnom Penh
Contact: Mr. Erich Phillips, Executive Director
Tel: (855) 15 255 191
E-mail: ed@amchamcambodia.net
Cambodia Chamber of Commerce
Address: No. 7D, Russian Blvd, Sangkat Tek Laok I, Khan Toul Kork, Phnom Penh
Tel: (855) 23 880 795
Fax: (855) 23 881 757
E-mail: info@ccc.org.kh
Young Entrepreneurs Association of Cambodia
Address: Vtrust Office Center, 4th Floor, Sangkat Mithapheap, Khan 7 Markara, Phnom Penh
Tel: (+855) 16 999 762
Email: yeac@yeacambodia.org
Cambodia Constructors’ Association
Address: Canadia Tower, 11th Floor, No. 315, Preah Monivong Blvd, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
Tel: (855) 23 868 222 (connect to 81 202)
Fax: (855) 23 988 828
Email: secretariatcca@yahoo.com
Cambodia Federation of Employers and Business Associations (CAMFEBA)
Address: No. 3, Street 528, Sangkat Boeung Kak I, Khan Toul Kork, Phnom Penh
Contact: Van Sou Ieng, President
Tel: (855) 23 230 022 / (855) 23 230 023
E-mail: camfeba@camfeba.com
Cambodia Hotel Association
Address: No. 23, Street 139, Academy of Culinary Arts Building, Sangkat Veal Vong, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh
Contact: Ms. Mao Thida
Tel: (855) 76 222 8884
E-mail: info@cambodiahotelassociation.com.kh
Cambodia Association of Travel Agents
Address: No. 65, Street 240, Sangkat Chaktomuk, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
Tel: (855) 23 212 421
Fax: (855) 23 216 212
E-mail: cata@online.com.kh
Cambodia Restaurant Association
Address: No. 23, Street 139, Academy of Culinary Arts Building, Sangkat Veal Vong, Khan 7 Makara, Phnom Penh
Contact: CRA Secretariat
Tel: (855) 76 222 8886
Email: info@cambodiarestaurantassociation.com.kh
Cambodia Women Entrepreneur Association
Address: No. 274, Samdech Sothearos Blvd, Phnom Penh Center, Building H, Sangkat Tonle Bassac, Khan Chamkarmorn, Phnom Penh
Tel: (855) 23 224 346
Email: info@cweacambodia.com
Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia
Address: Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone, Trapeang Kul Village, Sangkat Kantouk, Khan Porsenchey, Phnom Penh
Contacts: Dr. Ken Loo, Secretary General
Tel: (855) 23 301 181 / (855) 23 622 8888
E-mail: info@gmac-cambodia.org
U.S.-ASEAN Business Council
Address: 1101 17th Street NW, Suite 411, Washington, D.C., 20036
Contact: Mr. Jack Myint
Tel: (1) 202 289 1911
E-mail: jmyint@usasean.org
Website: U.S.-ASEAN Business Council
EuroCham Cambodia
Address: No. 30, Preah Norodom Blvd, Bred Bank Building, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh
Tel: (855) 23 964 141
E-mail: info@eurocham-cambodia.org
Limitations on Selling US Products and Services
Cambodians are price sensitive. While U.S. products are viewed positively in term of quality, prices may put them out of reach for many Cambodian consumers. High prices are unfortunately exacerbated by costs related to inadequate infrastructure and corruption.
Professional ethics, standards, and social responsibilities are slowly emerging in Cambodia and generally only practiced by recognized international brands. Local companies and distributors are often not fully aware of and do not strictly comply with international standards. U.S. companies and service providers should account for the need to train local partner companies to abide by international standards in ethics and social responsibility.
Web resources
World Bank: Doing Business in Cambodia
Cambodian Postal Service
Telecom Cambodia – Cambodian Telephone Service
The Phnom Penh Post
The National Bank of Cambodia
The Cambodia Microfinance Association
The Association of Banks in Cambodia
Transparency International Cambodia
Most U.S. businesses in Cambodia are franchises, primarily restaurants and food chains.