Tag: Financial Inclusion

Women Entrepreneur Scheme 40% of CGCC Guaranteed Loan Book

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

More than 40 percent of all loans guaranteed by the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) have been given to women entrepreneurs, CGCC CEO KL Wong in an exclusive interview told Khmer Times.

Currently, CGCC has guaranteed loans amounting to $200 million to 2,366 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) accounts as it marked three years of operation. Started during the Covid-19 pandemic to help businesses tide over the economic downturn, CGCC said it now has an outstanding guaranteed loan amount of $129 million and an outstanding guaranteed amount of $94 million from lending to MSME businesses that have provided jobs to more than 52,000 people in Cambodia.

Under the Women Entrepreneurs Guarantee Scheme (WEGS) there are many benefits for women taking a CGCC-guaranteed loan. Among the benefits are lower interest rates with the bank, a lower guarantee fee for the first year and higher coverage of loan guarantee, said Wong. Expanding, he said, that the guarantee fee for SMEs under the CGCC’s Business Recovery Guarantee Scheme (BRGS) was 1 percent. But for women entrepreneurs, this fee has been reduced to 0.5 percent from 1 percent for the first-year of the loan tenure. Apart from that, for SMEs under the BRGS scheme, about 70 percent of the loan is covered/guaranteed by CGCC. Whereas for the women entrepreneur scheme as high as 80 percent of the loan amount is guaranteed by CGCC.

The CGCC so far has supported many women entrepreneurs in diverse fields. One of the beneficiaries of its scheme is Rithypul founder and CEO Bopha Pen. In 2020, her financial awareness startup had a liquidity crunch. Needing working capital for day-to-day operations, she sought a bank loan. However, her collateral proved insufficient till CGCC stepped in and guaranteed her loan with one of its partner financial institutions CAMMA Microfinance.

Today Bopha, runs Rithypul and has launched training centres and a fintech mobile app Kotluy.

Another woman entrepreneur, who has benefitted from CGCC’s loan guarantee, is Thida Kheav’s SOGE. SOGE (also known as Solar Green Energy (Cambodia) Co), which is a renewable energy semiconductor manufacturer, lacked capital outlay for expansion. Till CGCC stepped in.

CGCC CEO KL Wong has said that the government is keen on giving priority to women-led businesses. When it first launched in 2021, about 23 percent of its total borrowers were women. This number went up to 35 percent of total borrowers in 2022. By the end of 2023, as high as 42 percent of CGCC’s total loan portfolio guaranteed is for women.

“We are proud of the gender diversity in our portfolio,” said Wong. CGCC currently has five loan guarantee schemes. Apart from WEGS and BRGS, CGCC has the Co-Financing Guarantee Scheme (CFGS), the Co-Financing Guarantee Scheme for Tourism (CFGS-TR) and Portfolio Guarantee Scheme (PGS).

CGCC CEO said that their scheme is tailored for SMEs, who form a vital part of Cambodia’s economy. SMEs represent 70 percent of employment opportunities in the country and contribute 58 percent to the country’s GDP. CGCC said that it is currently backing SMEs from diverse fields like agriculture, services, industry and services.

Wong also said the WEGS scheme has a ceiling cap for interest rates on loans. For the first-year interest rate the ceiling, inclusive of the first-year guarantee fees, was 8 percent for riel-denominated loans and 9 percent for dollar-denominated loans. And for microfinance institutions (MFIs) and deposit-taking institutions (MDIs), women could take loans that were fixed at an upper ceiling of 10 percent for riel-denominated loans and 11 percent for dollar-denominated loans.

He said women-led businesses were eligible for all types of loans, including term loans, overdrafts, trade financing facilities, etc. There was the option not just for new loans but also for refinancing old loans. CGCC said that it is currently guaranteeing both secured and unsecured loans. The maximum loan amount for working capital loans is $300,000
and the maximum amount for investment and business expansion plans is $500,000.

Credit to: Khmer Times, Publish on 16 August 2024

Understanding Financing Options for Businesses

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

What are the available financing options for your business? In today’s dynamic business environment, securing the right financing is the key to propelling businesses towards success. Whether it’s borrowing from family members or raising funds from the public through an initial public offering (IPO), each avenue has its own unique characteristics suitable for businesses in different circumstances. Exploring financing options is a strategic approach to building a strong and sustainable financial foundation for the business.

1. Debt Financing

Debt financing is a method for businesses to raise funds by borrowing from lenders such as family, friends, financial institutions, or investors. The borrower is required to repay the loan principal plus interest during the debt’s maturity. Debt financing is a common and straightforward way to secure funds for business operations.

A loan from family or friends is the most appealing option for start-ups and small businesses. These loans and loans from other unregulated and unlicensed lenders are considered informal loans. This financing typically does not require a business track record, comes with loose terms and minimal paperwork, and is quick and easily accessible. However, informal loans have many drawbacks. For example, the borrowers’ creditworthiness is not properly assessed, which often results in a high loan default rate and the borrower’s high indebtedness. Furthermore, there is no standard loan restructuring to help the borrowers who face financial difficulty, and the recovery of the informal loan can be very harsh, leading to relationship breakdown. This risk underscores the need for caution and careful consideration when opting for this type of financing.

Another type of debt financing option is bank loans. Understanding and demonstrating the 5Cs—character, capital, collateral, capacity, and condition—is crucial when considering formal bank financing. Formal bank loans provide a better loan handling process. Bank loans are strictly regulated, and the banking regulations are designed to protect consumers and banking stability. CGCC has supported businesses in access to formal banks loans by providing credit guarantees which act as collateral for the borrowers.

Once a business matures, generally after 3 years or more of successful operation, it can consider raising funds through bond issuance. A bond is a fixed-income debt instrument, an alternative to a bank loan. Lenders lend money to the borrowers by purchasing the bonds issued by the borrowers who promise to pay back the principal plus interest during the maturity of the bond. Compared to a bank loan, a bond offers more flexibility in structure, size, maturity, and interest payment. The comparison between bank loans and bonds is explained in CGCC’s Newsletter Issue 9. CGCC launched the Bond Guarantee Scheme in January 2024 to support corporations issuing bonds in Cambodia.

2. Equity Financing

Equity financing is a method of raising capital by selling a portion of business ownership to investors. When investing in a company’s equity, the investors become shareholders of the business and may be able to influence critical company decisions. While equity investors are not entitled to fixed interest payments from the business, they share the profit and loss of the business. Equity financing can be raised through a private offering from angel investors and venture capital or a public offering from public investors.

An angel investment is an equity investment by angel investors (wealthy individuals with business experience) who purchase ownership of a business, usually a start-up, that they find attractive and have the potential to grow and generate high profits. To raise funds from angel investors, the business owners should have a solid business plan that can convince the angel investors to invest. Unlike angel investors, who invest their own money in the business, venture capitalists use a pool of funds from individual and institutional investors. Venture capital conducts stricter due diligence on the businesses before deciding to invest and can provide technical assistance and managerial experience to improve the operation of the company.

Another financing option is an initial public offering (IPO), a process of selling company shares to public investors for the first time. Since the funds are raised from the public, a publicly listed company is required to go through rigorous due diligence and comply with strict disclosure requirements. Therefore, IPO can increase the company’s publicity, credibility, and greater access to financing for long-term future growth. The process of IPO is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia.

 

Read more: Understanding Financing Options for Businesses

 

Understanding Credit Guarantee-Interview with Participating Financial Institution (FTB Bank)

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

1. What is FTB Bank’s perspective towards the credit guarantee schemes and why does your bank partner with CGCC?

As the first commercial bank in Cambodia, a truly local bank trusted since 1979, FTB has been consistently contributing to develop the local market and economy through relentless supporting projects initiated by the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC). The Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) is a great initiative of the RGC, which focuses on business owners typically possessing no or insufficient collateral to access credit in a manner that they would otherwise be unable to obtain.

Being one of the earlier Participating Financial Institution (PFI), there are various opportunities presented to FTB, which are inclusive of:

  • Having further participation in the RGC’s initiatives to promote national economic growth by continuing to provide loans to customers who have real financing needs with solid business plan but do lack of collateral to pledge.
  • Contributing to the opportunities of creating jobs and employment for people through offering access to finance through credit guarantees scheme to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Large Enterprises to enable them to enhance productivity and expand their business operations.
  • Creating new business opportunities for the Bank’s own operation through supporting new and existing clients to expand credit portfolio in alignment with the Bank’s strategic plan.

 

2. How do the credit guarantee schemes benefit FTB Bank and your customers?

The credit guarantee schemes offer benefits to FTB and the customers in numbers of ways:

For Bank:

  • Introducing new credit opportunities for customers who need funding but lack of collateral to pledge, as well as represents a significant development in the banking sector, transitioning from traditional collateral-based loans, such as those secured by real estate and other property, to loan covered by the guarantee under this new scheme.
  • Maintaining the existing customers and attracting new potential ones to use FTB Bank’s services by providing flexible loans tailored to their needs and investment plans.
  • Mitigating credit risk by obtaining credit guarantees up to 80% of the loan amount from CGCC

For the Customers:

  • Enabling potential customers access to new loans through financial institutions licensed by the National Bank of Cambodia, even without sufficient collateral.
  • Getting comprehensive financial advice from bank experts who have received proper training from relevant institutions.
  • Empowering customers to expand their businesses according to their set plan.

 

3. So far, which type of loans the Bank use the credit guarantees to support SMEs?

Since being a Participating Financial Institution, FTB has been actively providing all types of loans to customers, such as Business Term Loans, Overdraft Loans and Revolving Loans to support credit guarantee schemes as follows:

  • Rice Export Guarantee Scheme (REGS)
  • Women Entrepreneurs Guarantee Scheme (WEGS)
  • Business Recovery Guarantee Scheme (BRGS)
  • Co-Financing Guarantee Scheme for Tourism (CFGS-TR)

 

4. How should the borrowers prepare themselves to get guaranteed loans from the Bank?

To obtain the guaranteed loans from the FTB Bank, business owners shall meet the following key criteria among various requirements:

  • Businesses with a Cambodian shareholder (shareholding of more than 50%) and sufficient capital to participate in investment projects, intending to utilize the loan in accordance with the CGCC’s requirements.
  • Business registration issued by the legalized government authorities.
  • Unregistered businesses must be registered with relevant authorities after receiving the loan.
  • Businesses with sufficient income to ensure their ability for loan repayment to the bank.

 

5. What is the Bank’s strategy/plan to further expand the disbursement of guaranteed loans in 2024?

In alignment with our strategic plan, FTB will continue to offer guaranteed loans with numbers of key priorities and actions including:

  • Continuing to actively promote our services to both existing and new customers who have a potential and solid plan to expand the business.
  • Developing a training program for all related lending staff to ensure they have a clear understanding and are well equipped to support the customers with their financing needs.
  • Continuing to collaborate with relevant parties to streamline the process of obtaining guaranteed loans to ensure convenience and speed from the CGCC.

 

Read and Download in PDF: Interview with participating Financial Institution (FTB Bank)

 

Understanding Credit Guarantee-Interview with Participating Financial Institution (Acleda Bank)

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

Read and Download in PDF: Interview with Participating Financial Institution (ACLEDA Bank)

 

1. What is ACLEDA Bank’s perspective towards the credit guarantee schemes and why does your bank partner with CGCC?

Credit guarantee schemes of Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia “CGCC” are good and essential schemes contributing to the development of the country’s national economy by providing credit guarantees to Small-sized and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and Large Enterprises which are financially viable but with insufficient or no collateral to enable them to get official loans from ACLEDA Bank as well as other PFIs. Through the credit guarantee from CGCC, the Bank could expand credit market, promote financial inclusion and manage credit risks effectively.

ACLEDA Bank has joined and become one of the participating financial institutions (PFIs) for the following main reasons:

  • Participate with the Royal Government’s initiatives and schemes to support the country’s socio-economic development.
  • Support and encourage SMEs and Large Firms to obtain formal loans from the licensed financial institutions for both working capital and business expansion.
  • Contribute to creating employment opportunities for people through the growth of businesses obtaining the formal loans under CGCC’s credit guarantee.

 

2. How do the credit guarantee schemes benefit ACLEDA Bank and your customers?

The credit guarantee schemes offer many benefits to both ACLEDA Bank and the customers as follows:

  • For ACLEDA Bank:
    • Diversify the credit products in line with the Bank’s strategic plan.
    • Manage credit risks effectively.
    • Maintain the existing customers and attract new potential ones.

  • For the customers:

    • Offer choices to the customers and be able to get formal loans for the expansion of their business activities.
    • Improve their living conditions through the growth of businesses.
    • Have a chance to create employment opportunities for their communities and promote innovation in their products and services.

3. So far, which type of loans does ACLEDA Bank use the credit guarantees to support SMEs?

So far, ACLEDA Bank uses the credit guarantees to provide business loans, revolving facility, and overdraft facility to our customers as SMEs and Large Enterprises in both priority and non-priority sectors to meet their business needs.

 

4. How should the borrowers prepare themselves to get guaranteed loans from ACLEDA Bank?

To obtain the guaranteed loans from ACLEDA Bank, the borrowers both individuals and legal entities shall meet the following criteria:

  • Business activities operate in Cambodia and majority Cambodian-owned businesses (shareholding of more than 50%)
  • Business registration issued by the appropriate government authorities
  • Financially viable businesses and accurate financial statements
  • Have owner equity and specific business plan
  • Loan utilization in accordance with the purposes as mentioned in the credit proposal
  • Willingness to comply with the loan obligations etc.

 

5. What is the ACLEDA Bank’s strategy/plan to further expand the disbursement of guaranteed loans in 2024?

ACLEDA Bank still continues to stimulate the disbursement of guaranteed loans in 2024 through promoting credit guarantees to both existing and new customers who need financing as well as  providing the trainings and refresher courses on the knowledge of credit guarantees to all the credit-related staffs of all branches nationwide, providing technical support for credit guarantees, especially having a good collaboration with CGCC to support and enhance the growth of guaranteed loans in a sustainable manner.

 

CGCC and Bridge Bank Signed on Credit Guarantee Agreement to Support Businesses in Access to Guaranteed Loans

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

On 07 February 2024, Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) and Bridge Bank officially announced the partnership in the signing ceremony on the Credit Guarantee Agreement to provide support to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and large enterprises, in easier access to bank’s loans with CGCC’s Guarantee for business development.

The partnership between CGCC, a state-owned enterprise, under the financial and technical guidance of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Bridge Bank, a commercial bank with a commitment to support the local MSMEs, will enable Bridge Bank to expand the opportunity to be confident in providing the loans to financially viable businesses but lack of collaterals, by using credit guarantees of CGCC.

CGCC and Bridge Bank

Mr. Wong Keet Loong, Chief Executive Officer of CGCC said: “This partnership with Bridge Bank opens up a new channel for us to reach out to support the Bank’s SMEs in getting loans when they lack collateral.  Our participating FIs will evaluate the eligibility of SMEs for guaranteed loans as they know the financial needs and repayment capability of the borrowers. Our guarantees are vital to ensure the continuous supply of credit into the market to support more economic activities.”

CGCC and Bridge Bank

Mr. Richard Liew, CEO of Bridge Bank said: “SMEs are one of the backbones of Cambodia’s economy, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP growth as well as providing employment opportunities to all Cambodians. However, some of these businesses often face challenges in accessing financing to support their growth. That is where this partnership between Bridge Bank and CGCC comes in. Through this MoU, we hope to provide MSMEs with easier access to loans by leveraging CGCC’s expertise in credit guarantee services. This will help to mitigate the risk of default and enable us to offer more competitive loan rates, thus increasing the affordability of credit for MSMEs.”

Through this agreement, Bridge Bank has now become one of the 28 Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) of CGCC, committing to assisting business entities in line with the Government’s direction to support MSMEs. CGCC and Bridge Bank strongly believe that this partnership will be one of the key instrumental in addressing the financing gap faced by many MSMEs and will contribute to the growth and development of the country’s economy.

CGCC and Bridge Bank

About CGCC

CGCC is the only credit guarantee corporation in Cambodia, established by the decision of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, as a state-owned enterprise under the technical and financial guidance of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The primary mission of CGCC is to provide credit guarantees to improve financial inclusion and support the growth of SMEs in Cambodia. Visit CGCC’s website for more information: www.cgcc.com.kh

 

About Bridge Bank

Bridge Bank provides a comprehensive range of banking products, such as loan services including home, automotive, personal, and business loans, as well as deposit services, payroll and remittance services.

Bridge Bank’s vision and mission are “to be your preferred financial partner of today and generations to come,” and “to provide financial services you can trust through our global service standards, making banking simple and secure.”

Please visit us for more details via www.bridgebank.com.kh​

Courtesy Visit by CGCC to Kasikornbank in Thailand

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

On 01 December 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand, CGCC’s delegation, led H.E. Dr. Mey Vann, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Chairman of the Board’s Risk Management Committee of CGCC, paid a courtesy visit to the Kasikornbank (KBank) Public Company Limited based in Thailand, highly represented by Mr. Suwat Techawatanawana, Executive Vice President of KBank in Thailand, at the KBank’s Building in Bangkok, Thailand, with the participation from the management of KBank in Thailand and Phnom Penh Branch, which in one of CGCC’s PFI.

Courtesy Visit by CGCC to Kasikornbank in Thailand
Courtesy Visit by CGCC to Kasikornbank in Thailand

H.E. Dr. Secretary of State expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome of the management of KBank Thailand, and also exchanged views about the economic situation in Cambodia and Thailand, and H.E. raised on the collaboration between CGCC and the Branch of Kasikornbank (Phnom Penh), which recently became one of CGCC’s PFIs in 2023.

In response, Mr. Executive Vice President of KBank Thailand​ expressed gratitude and appreciation for the courtesy visit of CGCC’s delegation, and especially shared with CGCC the progress of KBank as well as the experience of providing loans guaranteed by Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation in Thailand.

This courtesy visit provided such a great opportunity for both CGCC and KBank for a mutual understanding of the current economic situation in both countries, especially for strengthening the collaboration between both institutions for the like-minded vision in supporting MSMEs.

Courtesy Visit by CGCC to Kasikornbank in Thailand
Courtesy Visit by CGCC to Kasikornbank in Thailand
Courtesy Visit by CGCC to Kasikornbank in Thailand
Courtesy Visit by CGCC to Kasikornbank in Thailand

CGCC and the Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh) Signed on Credit Guarantee Agreement to support Cambodian MSMEs to Access to Guaranteed Loans

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

On 29 September 2023, Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) and the Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh) signed the Credit Guarantee Agreement. The Signing Ceremony was held at CGCC’s office with the honorable presence of H.E. Ros Seileva, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and Chairman of CGCC, H.E. Cherdkiat Atthakor, Ambassador of Thailand to Cambodia, and Mr. Suwat Techawatanawana, Executive Vice President of Kasikornbank Thailand.

CGCC and the Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh) Signed on Credit Guarantee Agreement to support Cambodian MSMEs to Access to Guaranteed Loans
CGCC and the Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh) Signed on Credit Guarantee Agreement to support Cambodian MSMEs to Access to Guaranteed Loans
CGCC and the Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh) Signed on Credit Guarantee Agreement to support Cambodian MSMEs to Access to Guaranteed Loans
CGCC and the Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh) Signed on Credit Guarantee Agreement to support Cambodian MSMEs to Access to Guaranteed Loans

Mr. Wong Keet Loong, Chief Executive Officer of CGCC, said: “We are very honored to have this partnership with a leading bank of Thailand to offer credit guarantees to support their MSME financing in Cambodia. The bank branch here can tap on their experience in Thailand, where the banking sector is very experienced in providing guaranteed loans. With this experience, we hope the bank will extend guaranteed financing to benefit Cambodian-owned businesses.

This collaboration also opens up opportunities for us to explore cross-border guarantees between businesses in Thailand and Cambodia. We have plans to understudy and collaborate with the Thai Credit Guarantee Corp, which has more than 30 years of experience, towards the end of this year.”

CGCC and the Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh) Signed on Credit Guarantee Agreement to support Cambodian MSMEs to Access to Guaranteed Loans
CGCC and the Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh) Signed on Credit Guarantee Agreement to support Cambodian MSMEs to Access to Guaranteed Loans

Mr. Ritthiwut Watthanachai, General Manager of the Branch of Kasikornbank (Phnom Penh), said: “Cambodia is at the center of Kasikornbank’s regional expansion strategy. This initiative seamlessly aligns with our business plan for the next phase, which we aim to leverage our experience in supporting small and medium-sized businesses in Thailand and replicate a similar model to serve local Cambodian SMEs. The partnership with CGCC will be the key enabler for us in extending our reach to a broader entrepreneur base, while improving our service capabilities. As the first Thai bank who joins the credit guarantee scheme, this partnership underlines Kasikornbank’s aspiration and commitment in supporting the Government’s vision for SME development.”

CGCC aims to improve financial inclusion and develop MSMEs with the main mission of providing guarantees for loans through Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) to MSMEs. Meanwhile, the Branch of Kasikorn Bank (Phnom Penh) is a foreign bank branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited, known as KBank, one of Thailand’s leading financial institutions. The branch provides a wide range of financial services and solutions to individuals and businesses.

With a strong presence in Cambodia, the Branch of Kasikornbank (Phnom Penh) has now become one of the 27 Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) of CGCC, committing to assisting business entities in line with the Government’s direction to support MSMEs. CGCC and Kasikornbank are confident that this partnership will help to address the financing gap faced by many MSMEs in Cambodia and contribute to the growth and development of the country’s economy.

CGCC and the Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh) Signed on Credit Guarantee Agreement to support Cambodian MSMEs to Access to Guaranteed Loans
CGCC and the Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh) Signed on Credit Guarantee Agreement to support Cambodian MSMEs to Access to Guaranteed Loans
CGCC and the Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh) Signed on Credit Guarantee Agreement to support Cambodian MSMEs to Access to Guaranteed Loans
CGCC and the Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh) Signed on Credit Guarantee Agreement to support Cambodian MSMEs to Access to Guaranteed Loans
CGCC and the Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh) Signed on Credit Guarantee Agreement to support Cambodian MSMEs to Access to Guaranteed Loans
CGCC and the Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh) Signed on Credit Guarantee Agreement to support Cambodian MSMEs to Access to Guaranteed Loans

About CGCC

CGCC is the only credit guarantee corporation in Cambodia, established by the decision of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, as a state-owned enterprise under the technical and financial guidance of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The primary mission of CGCC is to provide credit guarantees to improve financial inclusion and support the growth of SMEs in Cambodia.

 

About Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh)

The Branch of Kasikornbank Public Company Limited (Phnom Penh) was granted the commercial banking license by National Bank of Cambodia in November 2016. The initial registered capital was MUSD 50, which has been increased to MUSD 80 as of 2023. As an integral of Kasikornbank, the branch aims to provide best in class financial products and services to both local and foreign business in Cambodia. Given Kasikornbank’s presences in China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Lao PDR, and Thailand, the branch also focuses on connecting customers from across the region.

CGCC gets Honorable Mention in Global Finance SME Award 2023

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC), a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Economy and Finance was established in November 2020.  Since it started operations in March 2021, CGCC has launched several credit guarantee products to support loans extended to MSMEs through its participating Financial Institutions (PFIs).  With CGCC’s credit guarantee, it has brought a positive impact on the economic activities of MSMEs with credit additionality of approximately USD145mil guaranteed loans.  CGCC has supported financing to about 1,700 MSMEs who provide jobs to more than 27,000 workers.

The impact of CGCC has been steadily growing.  Many PFIs are seeing the benefits of providing guaranteed loans as a risk-sharing mechanism and for capital management purposes, as guaranteed loans will carry a zero-risk weight from 2024 onwards. With the support of CGCC, PFIs will be able to extend more credit to business entrepreneurs.

The accomplishments of CGCC have been recognised by the SME Finance Forum with an Honorable Mention in the “Product Innovation of the Year” category of the Global SME Finance Awards 2023.  The awards presentation was held in Mumbai recently, endorsed by the G20’s Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI), capturing the effective and successful practices of institutions, honouring the innovative products and services for SME clients that have achieved impressive results in expanding finance and services to SMEs and the institutions that undertake those efforts.

Wong Keet Loong, CEO of CGCC, commented “We are honoured to receive this recognition for the work we have done at CGCC.  This achievement is testament to our part in supporting MSMEs in getting loans to grow their business”.  He added that “this award is dedicated to all CGCC staff who have been committed to being part of a state-owned enterprise to play a role in supporting the growth of MSMEs and nation building.  My salute to them for their passion and dedication and I hope that this recognition will continue to inspire them to excel further”.

CGCC has been recently accredited by SERC to be Cambodia’s first bond guarantee institution.  With that, CGCC is now able to support all segments of businesses from small to large enterprises in obtaining financing.  The credit guarantee is an effective financial tool to improve financial inclusion.

Credit to: Khmer Times, Publish on 26 September 2023

CGCC visits PFIs provincial branches in Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang & Pailin to Enhance Collaboration on the Credit Guarantee

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

From 11 September to 14 September 2023, CGCC team led by Mr. Hor Saopiseth, Manager of Centralized Operations of CGCC, visited provincial branches of selected participating financial institutions (PFIs) to discuss with the management and staff of the selected PFIs the implementation of CGCC’s credit guarantee schemes. The selected PFIs in 4 provinces including:

– Kampong Chnang province: ABA Bank and Chamroeun Microfinance

– Pursat province: Prince Bank, Canadia Bank and Chamroeun Microfinance.

– Battambang Province: Prince Bank, FTB Bank, and Maybank

– Pailin Province: LOLC Microfinance, Phillip Bank and ABA Bank.

The discussions with CGCC PFIs’ provincial branches in these 4 potential provinces provided opportunities for both CGCC and PFIs to enhance mutual understanding of credit guarantees and opportunities for PFIs to increase lending to borrowers that lack collateral when requesting loans.

CGCC visits PFIs provincial branches in Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang & Pailin to Enhance Collaboration on the Credit Guarantee
CGCC visits PFIs provincial branches in Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang & Pailin to Enhance Collaboration on the Credit Guarantee
CGCC visits PFIs provincial branches in Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang & Pailin to Enhance Collaboration on the Credit Guarantee
CGCC visits PFIs provincial branches in Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang & Pailin to Enhance Collaboration on the Credit Guarantee
CGCC visits PFIs provincial branches in Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang & Pailin to Enhance Collaboration on the Credit Guarantee
CGCC visits PFIs provincial branches in Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang & Pailin to Enhance Collaboration on the Credit Guarantee
CGCC visits PFIs provincial branches in Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang & Pailin to Enhance Collaboration on the Credit Guarantee
CGCC visits PFIs provincial branches in Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang & Pailin to Enhance Collaboration on the Credit Guarantee
CGCC visits PFIs provincial branches in Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang & Pailin to Enhance Collaboration on the Credit Guarantee
CGCC visits PFIs provincial branches in Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang & Pailin to Enhance Collaboration on the Credit Guarantee
CGCC visits PFIs provincial branches in Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang & Pailin to Enhance Collaboration on the Credit Guarantee
CGCC visits PFIs provincial branches in Kampong Chnang, Pursat, Battambang & Pailin to Enhance Collaboration on the Credit Guarantee

CGCC accredited as Cambodia’s first bond issuance guarantor

Posted on by Sorn Chhorvyvatey

The Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC) under the Non-Bank Financial Services Authority (FSA) of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) has accredited the state-owned Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) as the country’s first  guarantor for bond issuance to support local companies in raising funds, said a statement.

The statement obtained by Khmer Times last Friday pointed out that the SERC issued a formal letter to accredit CGCC as Cambodia’s first bond issuance guarantor on August 22, 2023, which will play an important role in the development of the securities sector in the country through being a third party in making payments of timely interest and principal.

CGCC has developed a policy framework on bond guarantee that was approved by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of MEF Aun Pornmoniroth on May 17, 2023, in response to the sustainable development of Cambodia’s financial market through the company’s delivering guarantee on bond issuance services to corporations to raise funds for business development.

“The guarantee on bond issuance service can provide further support to encourage bond issuance by local companies, attract investors to invest in corporate bonds, increase the liquidity of riel from the bond issuance and improve the credit rating of corporate bonds, in which response to the sustainable development of the financial market,” said the statement.

Sou Socheat, Director General of SERC, told Khmer Times last Friday that accrediting the CGCC as a guarantor is another milestone for our bond market development and the presence of CGCC in the securities market is expected to help to boost the bond market development in Cambodia through building more market confidence and lower the issuance cost.

“As for our regulation, we cover only corporate bonds but we also don’t prohibit [the guarantor] from guaranteeing the government bonds,” said Socheat, when asked whether CGCC or a bond guarantor can guarantee government bonds or not. “So, it should be their answer if they want to provide guarantee to government bond,” Socheat pointed out.

Wong Keet Loong, CEO of CGCC, said that CGCC has become the first bond guarantee institution in Cambodia to corporate bonds listed on the country’s stock market Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX), which is a step towards developing the bond market in Cambodia and the company will apply for a credit rating from the Rating Agency of Cambodia.

“Private sector businesses can now raise funds via issuing a bond to support their business expansions [as] bond issuance is another option for private sector companies to obtain funds besides loans from financial institutions,” said Keet Loong, adding that a credit rating will enhance the bond rating of the corporate bond that is guaranteed by CGCC as the guarantor.

“With our guarantee, bond investors will have added confidence in investing in corporate bonds. Local financial institutions including insurance companies can now become bond investors with guarantees. As a local bond guarantor, we hope to attract more foreign funds to the stock exchange,” said Keet Loon. CGCC gets technical and financial support from MEF.

Ros Seilava, Secretary of State of MEF, said allowing CGCC to expand its business to bond guarantee is a long-term consideration of the government to make full use of CGCC’s role to participate in the development of the bond market through guarantee on bond issuance in addition to CGCC’s on-going implementation on loan guarantee in the banking sector.

“[It] reflects the government’s strong commitment to ensure the sustainability of the company’s businesses to support the development of small and medium enterprises in our country,” said Seilava, who is also the chairman of CGCC with its primary mission to provide credit guarantee to improve financial inclusion and support the growth of SMEs in Cambodia.

Credit to: Khmer Times

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