Changes throughout the recent years and into 2022 have been positive in the long run for Cambodia’s economic growth and the property sector in particular. It's easy to gloss over the rapid number and speed of change in the Kingdom, but some retrospective and openness to the changes reveal how international and domestic investors and property buyers should be positively assessing the opportunities in the growing Cambodian market.
Better Regulations & Systems
The new e-commerce laws will make it easier for foreign companies to operate in the Kingdom in the post-pandemic era and the easing of restrictions enabling large investments via cashless and digital payment systems are positive steps. The World Bank also confirmed that Cambodia has “one of the fastest increases in financial inclusion” among developing economies in East Asia and the Pacific, adding that “Double-digit increases in account ownership were achieved in Cambodia.”
NBC also has said that a Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system is being developed to help facilitate large-value transactions.
More cashless payments and the e-KYC will raise awareness, and transparency, as well as promote the use of new technologies and innovations, especially in the banking and finance sectors in the Kingdom. Binance signing an MoU with the Securities and Regulator Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SREC) means the country will receive the support and development of the legal framework for regulating and bolstering the digital asset businesses in the country which comes at a time when blockchain technology is increasingly being utilised and adopted in the region and domestically.
Furthermore, the signing of an MoU between Prince Group, Cambodian Investment Management, and Realestate.com.kh to collaborate on opportunities in attracting inbound investments through Cambodia’s Trust Law is also significant in attracting investment by providing a seamless, trustworthy, and transparent experience for foreign investors. Tom O’Sullivan (CEO of realestate.com.kh) said, it “offers a legal, transparent vehicle in facilitating real estate transactions for foreign investors”.
From an administrative point of view, the establishment of 25 Capital-Provincial Investment Sub-Committees (CPISC) launched in Cambodia in 2022 will help decide and fast-track private investment and resolve disputes related to investment projects to allow for decision-making power at the sub-national level.
Ongoing Investment and Potential
According to a recently published report by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), the real estate sector has grown by 2.5% in 2022, and in the first four months of 2022, there was an increase of 6.7% in home sales across condos and villas. The construction activity for residential villas increased by 60% while construction for apartments increased by a massive 183% in the first five months of 2022.
In total, 1,679 new construction projects were approved nationwide in the first five months of 2022, and although this is down 8.2 per cent year-on-year, investments in construction are long-term commitments that require large amounts of capital.
Foreign direct investment for 2022 and 2023 will recover to around 12 per cent and 11.6 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) respectively, while construction has been forecast to grow by 7.2 per cent in 2023, and real estate is expected to rise by 5.2 per cent in 2023.
If these predicted datasets don't provide enough positivity, the recent EXPO 2022 attracted over 12,000 attendees and $30 million in property and real estate sales which is a reflection of the real-world positivity in the market. A large-scale event was held again for the first time in a long while and it was a great opportunity for the Cambodian market leaders to collaborate in a mind-sharing exercise that wasn't possible for two years. This allowed for better evaluation, planning and cooperation to ensure the sector and the country is putting their best foot forward in continuing to attract investment and economic growth.
Why Cambodia Remains Attractive to Investors
As of July 2022, the Kingdom of Cambodia has waived the quarantine requirement for all non-vaccinated or non-fully vaccinated travellers visiting the country while Cambodia site near the top of the rankings in the Nikkei COVID-19 Recovery Index - despite ongoing concerns of variants of the virus which has slowed tourism growth. The tourism numbers are on an upward trend and we are still in the middle of the traditional quiet rainy season in Cambodia - but the latest estimate from the Director General of Tourism Development and International Cooperation of the Ministry of Tourism, Thong Rathasak, places a figure of 1.3 million tourists this year. Around 500,000 tourists visited in the first six months of the year.
More airlines have been offering and expanding the number of flights and destinations to and from Cambodia in the first half of 2022 too which is a positive – offering travellers a variety of options and catering to various budgets. The business community continues to confirm an increase in meetings with international investors and business clients who are stepping on these shores again for the first time in two-plus years.
Foreigners will also be looking to invest in Cambodia via the newly launched 10-year (so-called golden visa) which falls under the Cambodia My 2nd Home (CM2H) program. The CM2H program is open to all countries recognised by Cambodia with certain investment and financial requirements.
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