The Cambodia Oknha Association (COA) hosted its first Cambodian Business Forum to deepen the bonds of solidarity between the COA and the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), as well as strengthen cooperation with commercial ventures and embassy representatives to Cambodia.

Addressing the August 11 forum in Phnom Penh, COA president Ly Yong Phat described the 2023 Business Forum as the first one to be held since the formal inauguration of the COA on June 10.

He explained that the forum aimed to further promote the perspective and the mission of the COA, while stimulating trade and investment activities in Cambodia. It would also serve to build upon the relationship between the COA and CDC, as well as offering a chance to cooperate with representatives from embassies in the Kingdom, as well as the private sector.

“The forum is an important driving force in stimulating trade and investment activities in Cambodia, because the members of the association are all potential domestic investors,” he said.

“Additionally, I firmly believe that under the wise leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen – and his successor – the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) has guaranteed the peace and political stability which is most favourable for investment. Without that peace and stability, today's forum could not have been held,” he added.

Sok Chanda Sophea, Minister attached to the Prime Minister and secretary-general of the CDC, voiced his support for the Yong Phat’s remarks, saying that the COA will join the government in achieving a common vision of turning Cambodia into a high-income country by 2050 by continuing to attract foreign investment and expanding their own, in order to stimulate economic growth.