C ambodia's local business community elected tycoon Teng Boonma to head the country's

first Chamber of Commerce since the early 1970s.

Boonma, the 54-year-old managing director of the Thai Boon Roong Group, was elected

late on Oct 15 by the chamber's 24 directors after they themselves had been picked

earlier in the day.

Boonma, who holds Cambodian and Thai nationality, has extensive business interests

in several areas including real estate, banking and newspapers.

Almost 500 representatives from the local business community turned out to vote for

the chamber.

Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh said the government was looking forward to cooperating

with the chamber.