Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) President Kith Meng has called on Cambodian businesses to use the upcoming Francophonie Summit in November as an opportunity to showcase the country's legitimate business, investment and economic potential to international leaders and investors from French-speaking countries.
Speaking during a gathering with leaders of provincial and capital chambers of commerce and CCC members on Friday, Meng said Cambodia will host several major events in November, including the Francophonie Summit and a state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.
He said the events could provide Cambodian businesses with an important platform to build international connections and promote the country as an investment and business destination.
Key Facts
| Indicator | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Cambodia Chamber of Commerce |
| CCC President | Kith Meng |
| Main opportunity | Francophonie Summit |
| Summit timing | November 2026 |
| Expected participants | Leaders from nearly 90 French-speaking countries |
| Business focus | Investment, trade, economic opportunities and international partnerships |
| Other major event | Visit by French President Emmanuel Macron |
| Main message | Greater private-sector cooperation and promotion of Cambodia |
Francophonie Summit seen as business opportunity
Kith Meng said the upcoming Francophonie Summit should not be viewed only as a diplomatic event but also as an opportunity for Cambodia's private sector to present the country's economic potential.
The summit is expected to bring together heads of state, heads of government and prime ministers from nearly 90 French-speaking countries, creating a large international audience for Cambodia.
For Cambodian businesses, the gathering could provide opportunities to introduce products and services, establish business relationships and highlight investment opportunities across different sectors.
Meng urged private-sector companies to actively participate rather than leaving the promotion of Cambodia solely to government institutions.
CCC urges businesses to promote Cambodia
Meng said Cambodian businesses have a role to play in helping international visitors and investors better understand the country's economy and business environment.
He encouraged members of the CCC and provincial and capital chambers of commerce to work together to promote one another and strengthen the broader Cambodian business community.
The approach, he said, should focus on collective benefits for Cambodia rather than individual businesses alone.
The CCC president also highlighted the importance of unity, participation and cooperation among chamber members in supporting the organisation's wider mission.
Addressing Cambodia's international image
Meng also raised concerns about negative perceptions of Cambodia linked to online scam operations.
He described the label “Scambodia” as painful for Cambodians and said the private sector should work together to improve the country's image by promoting legitimate businesses and investment opportunities.
His comments framed the Francophonie Summit as an opportunity to introduce international business leaders and investors to Cambodia's wider economy.
Rather than allowing negative perceptions to dominate international attention, Meng encouraged Cambodian companies to demonstrate the country's legitimate commercial activities and investment potential.
Private sector urged to work together
The CCC gathering also focused on strengthening relations among leaders of provincial and capital chambers of commerce and CCC members.
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the chamber's progress, achievements, challenges, needs and future direction.
Meng called for greater cooperation among businesses, saying private-sector companies should form groups and support, encourage and promote one another.
Such cooperation could help Cambodian businesses present a more coordinated image to international visitors and potential investors during major events.
France and the Francophone business community
The Francophonie Summit provides Cambodia with an opportunity to engage with a broad network of French-speaking countries.
For the private sector, the potential value extends beyond tourism and cultural relations to areas such as trade, investment, services and business partnerships.
Cambodian companies participating in the wider programme could use the occasion to identify potential partners, understand market opportunities and introduce their businesses to international audiences.
The presence of senior political and business representatives could also create opportunities for discussions that continue after the summit.
November brings major international attention
The Francophonie Summit will be held during a month when Cambodia expects several high-level international events.
Meng highlighted both the summit and the planned state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.
For the Cambodian private sector, the concentration of international attention creates a window to promote the country's economic and investment opportunities.
The effectiveness of that opportunity, however, will depend on how actively businesses participate and whether promotional activities lead to concrete commercial relationships.
Angkor Times Analysis
The importance of Kith Meng's message lies in his emphasis on private-sector participation rather than treating international summits solely as government-led events.
A major international gathering can create visibility, but visibility alone does not automatically translate into investment or trade. Cambodian companies need to use such occasions to present credible products, services, investment projects and business partnerships.
The Francophonie Summit could provide a particularly relevant platform because of its expected participation from leaders of nearly 90 French-speaking countries. That creates a potentially broad network for Cambodian businesses seeking international connections.
Meng's comments about Cambodia's image also highlight the importance of communicating the diversity of the country's economy. His reference to the term “Scambodia” is his characterization of a negative perception, not an independent assessment by Angkor Times.
For businesses, the practical opportunity is to demonstrate Cambodia's legitimate economic activity through measurable business achievements, export products, investment projects, tourism services, technology ventures and other sectors.
The CCC's call for greater cooperation among businesses is also relevant. Smaller companies may have limited resources to promote themselves internationally, while coordinated business groups and chambers can provide a stronger platform for collective representation.
Ultimately, the commercial value of the November events will depend on whether the exposure produces follow-up meetings, partnerships, trade agreements, investment discussions and sustained engagement after international visitors leave Cambodia.
Potential opportunities for Cambodian businesses
Businesses could use the international attention surrounding the summit to:
- Present investment opportunities
- Promote Cambodian products and services
- Develop relationships with foreign companies
- Explore export markets
- Identify potential investors
- Promote tourism-related businesses
- Build partnerships with French-speaking markets
- Participate in business networking activities
- Improve international visibility
- Strengthen relationships through chambers of commerce
FAQs
What event is Kith Meng encouraging businesses to leverage?
He is encouraging Cambodian businesses to take advantage of the Francophonie Summit, which Cambodia will host in November 2026.
How many countries could be represented at the summit?
According to the source, the summit is expected to bring leaders from nearly 90 French-speaking countries.
What other major event is scheduled in Cambodia in November?
Kith Meng also highlighted a planned state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Why does Kith Meng believe the summit is important for businesses?
He sees it as an opportunity to promote Cambodia's economic potential, investment opportunities and legitimate businesses to international leaders and investors.
What did Kith Meng say about Cambodia's image?
He referred to the negative label “Scambodia”, saying it was painful for Cambodians and calling on the private sector to work together to promote Cambodia's legitimate business and investment opportunities.
What did Meng ask Cambodian businesses to do?
He urged businesses to cooperate, support one another and collectively promote Cambodia and its economic opportunities.
What was the purpose of the CCC gathering?
The gathering was held to strengthen relations and solidarity among chamber leaders and members and to discuss the CCC's progress, achievements, challenges, needs and future direction.