About 150 business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, investors, students and government representatives gathered in Phnom Penh on Sunday for the Vision Talk Business Forum 2026, sharing ideas and practical strategies for preparing for Cambodia’s business and investment environment in 2027. Organised by Junior Chamber International (JCI) Toul Kork in collaboration with iMedia at the Manulife Cambodia Building, the forum brought together experienced business leaders and younger professionals under the theme “Preparing Businesses, Entrepreneurs, and Professionals for Cambodia 2027”.
The event focused on several issues increasingly important to Cambodia’s private sector, including business management, investment, changing market conditions, technology, leadership and personal development. With six speakers sharing their experience across entrepreneurship, automation, business leadership and wellbeing, the forum offered participants an opportunity to consider not only where future opportunities may emerge, but also what capabilities businesses and professionals will need to compete and adapt.
“The Vision Talk Business Forum 2026 brought Cambodia’s business community together to look ahead to 2027, with practical discussions on entrepreneurship, investment, leadership, technology, market trends and personal development. Its central message was that businesses and professionals need to keep learning, adapt to rapid technological change and build stronger networks to prepare for emerging opportunities and challenges. By connecting experienced leaders with younger generations, the forum aimed to strengthen Cambodia’s business capacity while encouraging knowledge sharing, innovation and professional development as the country’s economic landscape continues to evolve.”
Business Leaders Focus on Preparing for Cambodia 2027
The Vision Talk Business Forum was designed around a straightforward concern: Cambodia’s business environment is changing, and companies and professionals need to prepare rather than simply react. The gathering created a platform for participants to exchange experiences and discuss practical approaches to business management, investment, emerging market opportunities and professional development.
For entrepreneurs and investors, preparation involves more than identifying the next promising sector. It also requires understanding market changes, managing risk, adopting useful technology and developing people who can make sound decisions in uncertain conditions. The forum brought these issues together in one setting, giving participants the opportunity to learn directly from professionals with experience across different industries.
The event also placed emphasis on connecting generations within Cambodia’s business community. Experienced business leaders were able to share lessons from their careers, while younger participants gained access to ideas, perspectives and professional networks that could help them develop their own businesses and careers.
Continuous Learning Becomes a Business Necessity
Ruos Sath, 2026 JCI Toul Kork Local President, said the rapidly changing business and technology environment means people can no longer depend solely on knowledge they already possess. Continuous learning and open exchange, he said, are increasingly important as businesses navigate new challenges and opportunities.
“We need to continue learning, listening, asking questions and exchanging ideas with one another,” he said.
That message reflects a broader challenge facing businesses as technology and market conditions evolve quickly. Skills that were sufficient several years ago may not be enough for businesses dealing with automation, digital tools, changing customer expectations and new competitive pressures.
The forum therefore treated learning as an ongoing business capability rather than a one time activity. For entrepreneurs and managers, the ability to listen to different perspectives, ask better questions and adapt decisions based on new information can become an important advantage as Cambodia moves toward 2027.
Six Speakers Bring Different Business Perspectives
Six guest speakers contributed to the forum, covering subjects ranging from entrepreneurship and business leadership to technology and personal wellbeing. Their different areas of expertise gave participants a broader view of the capabilities needed to build and manage businesses.
Phoung Sophorn, Managing Director of JOSOLINA, discussed turning ideas into businesses, focusing on the journey from an initial concept toward a functioning enterprise. Feng Shui Master Ung Bunmong addressed business issues and Feng Shui, bringing another perspective to the discussion.
Hin Sopheap, Executive Director of DG Academy, shared insights into workflow automation and AI agents, an area increasingly relevant to businesses seeking to improve efficiency and productivity. Chan Rotha, CEO of Manulife Cambodia, discussed four key elements of business leadership, focusing attention on the role leaders play in building and managing organisations.
Technology and Automation Move Higher on the Business Agenda
The inclusion of workflow automation and AI agents among the forum’s key topics reflects the growing importance of technology in business operations. For companies, automation can become relevant in areas where repetitive workflows, administrative processes and routine tasks consume significant time and resources.
The forum’s focus was not limited to technology itself, however. The wider discussions connected technology with management, leadership and business development. This is important because technology adoption alone does not guarantee better business performance. Companies still need capable leaders and employees who understand where technology fits into their operations and how it can support broader business objectives.
For Cambodian entrepreneurs and managers preparing for 2027, the discussion suggests that technology should increasingly be viewed as part of business strategy rather than simply an additional digital tool. Understanding emerging technologies, evaluating their practical value and developing the skills needed to use them effectively could become increasingly important across different sectors.
Leadership Remains Central to Business Growth
Chan Rotha, CEO of Manulife Cambodia, shared perspectives on four key elements of business leadership, highlighting the importance of leadership alongside other business capabilities discussed during the event.
Strong leadership is particularly important when companies are navigating change. Business leaders need to make decisions, manage people, respond to risks and maintain direction while market conditions evolve. The forum placed leadership alongside entrepreneurship, investment and technology, recognising that sustainable business development requires a combination of these capabilities.
Other speakers also brought different perspectives on building businesses and contributing to society. Soum Sambath, CEO of Cam Paint National Paint, spoke on “living in society for society”, adding a social dimension to the broader business discussion. His perspective complemented the forum’s emphasis on professional development and the role businesses and individuals play within the wider community.
Wellbeing Also Matters in Preparing for 2027
Noem Chhunny, Founder and CEO of Vipassa, discussed the positive impact of maintaining mental and physical wellbeing in preparation for Cambodia in 2027. The inclusion of wellbeing alongside business management, technology and investment reflects a broader view of professional readiness.
Running a business or leading an organisation requires sustained decision making, responsibility and adaptability. Maintaining personal wellbeing can therefore be an important part of a professional’s ability to manage those demands over time. The forum treated personal development as part of the preparation needed for the future rather than as a separate issue from business performance.
The organisers said participants gained practical knowledge covering business start up and management, risk management, leadership, Cambodia’s economic and market trends, the use of technology in business, and mental and physical wellbeing. Together, these areas provide a broad framework for professionals and entrepreneurs considering their priorities for 2027.
Networking Creates Opportunities Beyond the Forum
The Vision Talk Business Forum also included group discussions and direct question and answer sessions with the speakers. These sessions gave participants opportunities to exchange views directly, explore issues raised during the presentations and develop professional relationships.
For entrepreneurs and investors, networking can be particularly valuable because business opportunities often develop through relationships, partnerships and the exchange of market information. Bringing business owners, professionals, investors, students and government representatives into the same environment created opportunities for different groups to understand each other’s perspectives.
The organisers said the forum was intended to strengthen the capacity of business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals while fostering connections between experienced business leaders and the younger generation. That combination of knowledge sharing and networking gives the event a purpose beyond a conventional business conference.
A Stronger Business Community for Cambodia’s Next Stage
The forum’s central theme was preparation. Rather than focusing exclusively on individual business opportunities, the event addressed the skills, knowledge, technology, leadership and relationships that businesses and professionals may need as Cambodia moves toward 2027.
For investors and entrepreneurs, the discussions also underline the importance of looking at Cambodia’s future through several lenses. Market opportunities need to be considered alongside risk management, technology adoption, leadership capacity and the ability to build sustainable professional networks.
The Vision Talk Business Forum 2026 ultimately presented preparation as an ongoing process. Cambodia’s business environment will continue to evolve, and companies that invest in knowledge, people, technology and relationships may be better positioned to respond to that change.
Conclusion: Preparing People as Well as Businesses
The Vision Talk Business Forum 2026 brought together a diverse group of Cambodia’s business community to discuss the opportunities and challenges ahead of 2027. From turning ideas into businesses and strengthening leadership to adopting automation and maintaining personal wellbeing, the discussions covered many of the capabilities needed for a changing business environment.
The event also highlighted the value of connecting experienced leaders with the next generation of entrepreneurs and professionals. For Cambodia’s private sector, that exchange of knowledge and experience could be just as important as any individual business strategy. As the country moves toward 2027, the strongest opportunities may ultimately favour businesses and leaders that are willing to keep learning, adapt to change and build the capabilities needed for sustainable growth.