Cambodia - Country Commercial Guide
Selling Factors and Techniques

Identifies common practices used in selling in this market, including sales material that needs to be in the local language.

Last published date: 2019-08-06

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.

Trade Promotion & Advertising

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.

Pricing

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.

Local Professional Services

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.