Business Networking in Cambodia
When doing business in Cambodia, as with any country, effective networking is a very good way to get ahead. This is a small country with a relatively compact business community although it is constantly changing with new players and new local, regional and international businesses setting up.
The expat community is also small but this can easily be used to your advantage as it does not take long to make good friends and useful acquaintances to meet potential clients.
There is a wide range of regular business and networking events in the Kingdom, especially in Phnom Penh. Membership organisations and online networks present perfect opportunities to make critical connections that will unlock doors for your business in Cambodia, and even though the economic landscape is fast developing, word-of-mouth and face-to-face interactions still go a long way.
B2B Cambodia offers some tips to point you in the right direction to give you a headstart on your business networking journey in the Kingdom of Cambodia.
What Are Some Of The Things To Know About Business Networking In Cambodia?
The simple and oft-repeated question you will encounter is “What do you do here?” is an easy opener to begin a conversation in Cambodia. It is still more than normal in Cambodia to walk up to strangers at business events and introduce yourself compared to other parts of the world, and there is a good chance you will soon see the same faces at similar networking events.
Remember that, despite a huge diversity of backgrounds, you have one thing in common with all foreign workers: You may be new in town, but so were they at some point.
4 Things To Know About Cambodian Business Networking Etiquette
Business card exchanges are a fundamental part of any networking or introduction in Cambodia, so get prepared and always have some of your own easily at hand.
- Be sure to pass the card with both hands, with the information on the card facing the recipient. If you have a double-sided card, with English on one side and Khmer on the other, pass it with the appropriate language facing upwards (This might also be interoperable for French, Chinese, Japanese, Korean etc).
- Upon receipt of a business card, it is considered polite to read it thoroughly and to store it for future use in a considerate manner. Carelessly shoving someone’s card in your pocket suggests that you’ll do business the same way and won’t be appreciated.
- When writing Cambodian names, the traditional order is the family name first, followed by the person’s given name. Western influence has, however, meant that in some cases the order is reversed which can lead to considerable confusion. So don’t be embarrassed to ask for clarification if you’re unsure.
- When referring to a Cambodian person, it’s common practice to use their given name, prefixed by the appropriate term of reference, for example, Mr. Heng Ly, Chairman of The Cat Appreciation Club Cambodia.
What Regular Networking Business Events Can I Attend In Cambodia?
There is no shortage of networking events in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, in particular. Some events require invitations but most have a nominal fee to join as most business events are organised by the business chambers and they will have tiered attendance fees for Members and Non-Members.
There are also some industry-specific events, that are likely to draw people with common interests in a relaxed environment, and joining one of the many business chambers will get you regular access to your compatriots.
Industry networking is a developing aspect of the Cambodian business environment. More and more business chambers, industry organisations and professional associations are being created, many of which hold regular meetings and networking events.
Some of these organisations popular with Western expats and business people are BritCham Cambodia, AmCham Cambodia, AusCham, and EuroCham Cambodia, and they all offer regular networking events, invitations to meet with trade delegations and seminars on pertinent business topics.
Industry-Specific Networking Events In Cambodia
Don’t forget that any social event is a networking opportunity but there are a growing number of industry-specific events organised in Cambodia.
- Realestate.com.kh hosts the biggest property lifestyle and property expo and real estate awards events (Cambodia Real Estate Awards) in Cambodia.
- Some industries also hold industry-specific awards gala events such as media, agency, tourism, F&B or other specialised business award evenings.
- NGOs and fundraisers also have events to meet people and are a chance to support a worthy cause while you do it such as local wildlife, social enterprises and those which support underprivileged Cambodians.
- There are also film, photo, art and other exhibition launches at an increasing number of venues such as galleries, rooftop bars, hotels and specialised event venues.
- Some of the popular social venues and events include The Factory, the Nerd Nights, countless open mic nights if you are musically inclined, sporting team events, and other sociable events where you’re bound to find someone interesting to talk to and make a business connection with.
What Sort Of Online Networks Are Available In Cambodia?
Online networking tools shouldn’t be overlooked for business opportunities and networking in Cambodia.
There are several Facebook groups which serve as good sources of information about events that are happening around Phnom Penh and beyond, and Telegram groups have been a newer trend used to promote and engage with groups in Cambodia to share news and events, while LinkedIn is being better utilised for professional networking and engagement.
There are some informal online expat groups but they don’t always last if they are hosted by an expat that moves on from Cambodia - there have also been several print and digital sources of news geared towards the expat and international business community that have come and gone.
Coastal towns, such as Sihanoukville, Kep, Kampot and the other provinces have smaller fluctuating expat communities and may be more disconnected as a result.
Women’s Business Networking In Cambodia
There are more groups focussing on Cambodian women’s entrepreneurs such as CWEA, SHE Investments, WIG (Women’s International Group Cambodia) and others have formed to organise meetups relevant to women in the business world and to provide networking opportunities in the Kingdom.
B2B Cambodia also is part of Women Shaping Cambodia which celebrates the achievements and contributions of Cambodian women across various sectors.
Where Can I Meet Entrepreneurs In Cambodia?
For start-up businesses, having like-minded professionals to discuss ideas with can be invaluable and there are various business incubators, angel investors and tech hubs now operating in Cambodia and hold a range of training, networking events and mentor programs.
- There are also a growing number of cooperative and shared working spaces as well as digital nomad groups which network and organise events.
- Technology-oriented events geared towards generating forward-thinking solutions to problems both local and global have been growing in popularity.
- Incubators and digital hubs are great meeting points for entrepreneurs, especially in the digital space, while Cambodian Association of Finance and Technology has been organising events (CamTech Summit) and attending regional tech-orientated events.
- Some other key innovation and tech hubs in Phnom Penh include; Impact Hub Phnom Penh, Confluences, The Factory Phnom Penh.
- Digital Cambodia, Bar Camp, and TEDx Phnom Penh are technology-oriented events geared towards generating forward-thinking tech, digital, AI and other solutions to problems both local and global and the number of these events is growing.
Do Embassies In Cambodia Host Business Events?
Embassies often hold events in Cambodia, and all its expatriate members, local representatives and special guests are usually invited.
Some long-standing annual events include the US Marine Corps Ball and American Independence Day celebrations, Australia Day celebrations, as well as other key national holidays and milestones.
It is worth getting to know the representatives at your embassy of choice so you can receive invitations.
Can I Participate In Sporting Events In Cambodia?
There are numerous professional and social sporting organisations in Cambodia that welcome expatriates and Cambodians.
These include rugby and touch rugby, tennis, badminton, football, hockey, Aussie rules (AFL), Gaelic football, ultimate frisbee, netball, cycling, dodgeball, running groups, CrossFit and the Hash House Harriers are just some of the opportunities in Cambodia to network, socialise and exercise.
A number of the sports have leagues but there are also informal events that you can attend throughout the year. Major sporting events will always draw a large crowd of expats offering the perfect opportunity to make friends and business contacts.
Sports have been seen as an increasingly effective tool for nation-building, promoting commercial visibility through sponsorships and increasing the health of the population since Cambodia hosted the SEA Games for the first time in 2023.
How Can I Get Involved With Local Cambodian Culture?
If you are working with Cambodians, you will find they are very community-focused and enjoy celebrating many major life events with a group and foreigners often will get invited to key events such as weddings, birthdays etc.
- Weddings and births and funerals are important aspects of Cambodian culture, and you should ask questions to understand the correct local etiquette for these events - receiving an invitation to attend the resulting celebration is a great honour and one not to be taken lightly.
- The chance to participate means creating an intimate connection between yourself and a potential local business partner, client or supplier that you should not pass up.
- Remember to offer some money as a gift to the family hosting, regardless of how well you might know them, and be prepared for some noise.
Schools As a Source Of Networking
Remember as well, parents, your children are major networking opportunities. This applies to integrating into both the Khmer and the expat communities, as young children aren’t held back by language or cultural barriers.
- Children’s sports and school events are an excellent opportunity to network and build up contacts.
- You can encounter people from a variety of industries and nations on such occasions and there are many international schools operating in Cambodia.