Expats are well aware how essential appropriate health care is living in a developing nation like Cambodia as potential risks and hazards are rife. Common hazards of living in a developing country:Road accidents are one of the most common causes of hospitalisation in the Kingdom due to poor road and traffic conditions. Exposure to tropical diseases are more significant due to mosquitoes and other insect bites.Contact with infectious diseases is higher due to contaminated water, unhygienic food preparation and lack of hand washing.  A lack of medical skills and facilities raises the risks of receiving contaminated blood because of poor hygiene practices or inadequate screening for viruses. Medications may be counterfeit or not readily available.Access to first world medical care may mean you have to go elsewhere for treatment and require medical evacuation. Costs can be exorbitant without sufficient protection. Expats can be caught out! Not only does your physical body suffer but so does your wallet if you are not covered by some type of international insurance plan. It is best to be prepared.The solutionInternational health insurance is the perfect solution to protect not only your well-being but also your finances. For expats living or working overseas who wish to ensure their financial security whilst at the same time safekeeping and investing their health, then an international insurance plan is a must. Infinity Insurance, Cambodia's first and foremost insurance company is offering new customers who buy or existing customers who renew with their International or Expat Health Plan between June to September 2016, a chance to win a private four hour boat cruise for themselves and nine of their friends.Inquire today for a free quote!The lucky winner drawn in September, and their fortunate friends will enjoy lunch and drinks whilst cruising Cambodia’s waterways on the famous Kannika boat for a fun afternoon on us! The trip is valid to use from October to December 2016. Infinity Insurance has access to the world’s most respected global health insurers including Aetna, ACS, A Plus International, Cigna, MSH, Now Health International and William Russell all of which are backed by financially secure global underwriters such as AXA and Allianz. You can be confident that the cover we arrange is right for you and backed by established and respected providers. Choose a plan to suit your personal health needs, whether it be a standard cover expat health insurance for accident or emergency illness, or add in outpatient protection to make sure all routine medical expenses will be covered, or include dental coverage. If starting a family is on the agenda then choose to include maternity so you are safeguarded throughout your pregnancy and birth. All health plans include the evacuation in case of emergency and repatriation. Infinity has got you covered!Inquire today for a free quote!

A large multi-purpose project of the Sokha Group has just been announced publicly on the company's official website. This huge multi-purpose project on Chroy Changvar peninsula will include residential condominiums, a large and modern commercial center and various other features yet to be announced. Recent news suggests the Chroy Changvar area is set to transform into an area with great potential in commercial and residential real estate in the coming years, and especially so for foreign investors able to purchase these properties under the foreign investment law regulation. This new investment of by the Sokha Group represents the largest project in Chroy Changvar to date.Please contact our professional team for more info! The "Chroy Changvar Riverside" concept evolution draws on many traditions of Khmer culture. The Design concept revolves around the Dragon Boat and sail, a famous symbol of the Khmer culture. The Dragon Boat race is an important cultural event that takes place on the Tonle Sap River every year. The architectural form of this event is relayed through the elements of the water, the boat and the sail - creating an architectural design with natural flow, transparency and a design that embraces the elements of the riverside where it will soon stand. Meanwhile, the Apsara dancers, a staple of traditional royal Khmer culture, are also merged into the design - representing beauty, divinity and the spirit of unity toward mutual progress. Sokha’s project looks over the Mekong river, Tonle Sap and royal palace: “So far there is no project in such a place, meaning buyers may come from foreign countries to enjoy a high standard of living here,” says Ms Chamroeun Phoeurk, marketing director at Emerald+ Property Management. Mr. Van Chanthoeun, ceo of TownCity Real Estate, agrees with Ms Chamroeurn, “this new project’s location is really good, and well suited to the property development in this region. Furthermore, Sokha Group is a huge company with substantial experience in the field of real estate and property development over many years in Cambodia.” Mr. Chanthoeun added that, “the company already has many customers in hand." Chanthoeun continues to say, "I think that this project will absorb more and more buyers from foreign countries; and if this project allows agency services to assist the buyers in helping them to find those who want to rent, this rental return service will grant investment buyers more profit and ultimately help the projects long term success." Stay tuned to Realestate.com.kh NEWS for more information about this huge new project as soon as it is released.Please contact our professional team for more info!

Cambodia has seen a wonderful start in its commercial property market in 2016 which is confirmed through reports such as the Knight Frank Asia Pacific Prime Office Rental Index 2016. Commercial spaces and industrial real estate have seen one of the biggest demands for investments in the country so far, especially from the foreign nationals who see its potential as the Cambodian economy shifts into the ASEAN region. Although there have been around 150 factories that closed in Cambodia in 2015, there are still more than 500 active factories using around 5,000,000,000 square meters of land in Phnom Penh alone, says the Director of the Valuation Department at Bonna Realty Group, Mr. Sung Sina, in his presentation at the Real Estate Market & Outlook Conference (REMOC) 2016. This is due largely to the fact that foreign investors coming in from different countries like China, UK, Taiwan and Hong Kong find that commercial properties and labor in the country for textile, apparel and footwear manufacturing is relatively inexpensive compared to neighboring countries. This is still the case despite the fact that the minimum wage has now risen to $140 a month, excluding lunch and transportation allowances. Sina states that there have been 2,305 industrial real estate projects that were approved by the Ministry of Land Management Urban Planning and Construction, which brought a 33.14 percent increase from 2014, bringing construction investments to a total of $3.38 million. Sina also mentions that special economic zones will play a part in the future of industrial property investments; a key place in which future developments such as factories and warehouses can call home. At the moment, there are 13 active SEZs in Cambodia and 34 that are currently being approved. These special economic zones will bring about wider roads and centralization of properties that will comply with international standards in terms of titling. Having these SEZs will also be more convenient for investors who will have reliable access to utilities like waste water disposal, electrical power and flood protection. This makes it very attractive for foreign investors who are looking to relocate their operations in Cambodia. Sina, however, warns that though there has been significant growth in the industrial market from previous years, this has also caused an increase in competition as well. This isn’t necessarily good news for property agents, but it does provide more flexible options for investors. This also serves as a challenge for those in the industry to be more innovative in their marketing and approach when catering to potential property investors. Much like in every industry, there is always a possibility for growth and regress. But the Cambodian industrial real estate market has proven that despite going through difficult circumstances, it will remain to be a stable investment option. And with policies that aim to improve the quality of working conditions and worker convenience, those who wish to put their money into the industrial property market are still projected to have a significant amount of investment return this year and in years to come. View Industrial Real Estate in Cambodia NOW

Life insurance is a relatively new concept to Cambodia but it is an important one. Life insurance is about protecting your life against the daily risks one can be exposed to that may lead to loss of life. One of the major risks in the kingdom is death due to road accidents.Leading insurance provider, Camlife offers insurance products to all Cambodian’s to ensure their policyholder’s lives will be protected against incidences such as road accidents; and if something should happen to them, their family and loved will be protected and provided for with the guarantee of a better future. Life insurance offers the chance to leave a legacy after you are gone, and to ensure those closest to you will inherit financial security to live on beyond their grief.   Camlife has two products: life protection and endowment. Life protection covers risks to your life and endowment is a combination of life protection and a means of investing and saving money in order to make it work for you. Camlife invests your premium during the term for example, 10 or 15 years, in order to make a return which includes any interest accumulated over the investment length. During the term you have the benefit of not only protecting yourself against risks to your life in the future but also a means of growing your invested money at the same time. Both products add value to your life and are very affordable.Contact us now to find out more about these policies!

There’s great profit to be made with selling properties, especially in a country with a fast-growing economy like Cambodia.Whether you’re new to the industry or have been around for a very long time, there will always be people looking for a good investment and they will always try to look for someone with insider knowledge in property. That someone is usually their real estate agent.Whether it’s for selling property or looking for the next home that would best suit their needs, it’s most likely that real estate agents are sought after for help. But real estate agents are bound to make mistakes if they lack certain knowledge, skills and attributes.In an interview with Realestate.com.kh, Mr. Kim Heang, CEO of Khmer Real Estate and former president of the CVEA (Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association), states that “if you have a good occupation, if you have good language, that is not enough.”So, before trying your luck at becoming a real estate agent in Cambodia, here are a few tips:Educate Yourself:Educating yourself does not only mean reading up on the market and getting updates on trends through your smartphone. It means getting a proper education and a bachelor’s degree.There are about a thousand or more registered property agents and ten times more self-proclaimed property gurus in the Kingdom who give investors bad deals and misinformation. It not only makes people from the Cambodian industry look bad, but it also scares people from investing in Cambodia and trusting property agents again.Learn the Language:Heang says that although there are many investors in the local and international market, most of them are foreign nationals looking to invest in properties for commercial use, residential investments or for retirement. So, you have to learn their language in order to prevent any misunderstandings.English may be a safe first choice as it is spoken by many foreign nationals. But since the Cambodian real estate market is particularly popular with investors from China, it will serve as an edge for you if you can speak Chinese as well.Experience and Employment:One of the things to look for after getting your education and learning the language is experience as a real estate agent. Many newcomers make the mistake of applying for positions in a big company says Heang.If you’re looking for good experience, look for it in middle-class companies where you can learn from the founders or CEO directly. At the same time, being in a company that’s still growing will give you better opportunities that you will have a hard time getting into big companies.If you are looking for a real estate agent in Cambodia, read our guide on Choosing the Right Cambodian Real Estate Agent.Honesty:Your honesty is probably the most important among all the attributes a great real estate agent must possess. As Heang puts it, “it’s from your heart”.Many who are new to the industry make great money at the beginning but often struggle in the long run. This is because they lack empathy for the needs of the investors. So, it’s important that you remain truthful and just give them their best options rather than set high expectations you know you cannot fulfil.Your integrity and good character are what will keep them coming back. The longevity of your career is dependent mostly on the trust you build with your client base. Whether you’re new to property investments or not, it’s important to keep all these in mind to prevent unnecessary mistakes and future complications.It is important to note that the job of a real estate agent is not just to make profits, but to keep in mind the best interest of the investors at all times.  For more news and tips, tune in to Realestate.com.kh daily!

NEED A VALUATION FOR YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS? Realestate.com.kh was extremely proud to sponsor and support the BritCham & IBC Luncheon and Panel Discussion on Property Valuation in Cambodia: “Addressing the Gaps.” The development of the Cambodian valuation industry is a core factor is creating a sustainable real estate market. BritCham and IBC in partnership with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association (CVEA) welcomed the Cambodian business community to a focused business luncheon on the topic of valuation of property in Cambodia: “Addressing the Current Gaps.” The event was held of Tuesday 19th April with a panel of experts sharing their perspectives, followed by an open discussion with the audience on the state-of-play of valuation in Cambodia. About the Panel Speakers:Salim Aslam, ASEAN Manager, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS):Salim is ASEAN Manager for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). RICS promotes and enforces the highest professional qualifications and standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. The organisation accredits 118,000 professionals and any individual or firm registered with RICS is subject to it’s quality assurance. The UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office and UK Trade and Investment commissioned RICS to produce a report on Building or Fire Safety standards in the construction sector the topic with a view to providing the Cambodian Government with assistance in developing building standards and ensuring better regulation. The Report’s findings and recommendations were presented to and welcomed by the Government last year. Ross Wheble, Country Manager, Knight Frank Cambodia:Country Manager for Knight Frank in Cambodia and oversees all areas of the operational business. Established in the UK in 1896, and now with more than 417 offices in 58 countries, Knight Frank is the world’s leading independent real estate consultancy. As one of the largest and highest profile valuation practices, Knight Frank’s team of professional experts provides a comprehensive range of valuation and market appraisal services across all sectors, valuing in excess of $1 Trillion’s worth of land and buildings in 2015 globally, including some of the world’s most expensive real estate. Holdings a Master’s Degree in Property Valuation & Law, Ross is a qualified Chartered Valuation Surveyor with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and co-ordinates valuations throughout the Kingdom. Kim Heang, President, Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association (CVEA):Kim Heang is a seasoned professional in the Real Estate industry, Business Development, plus a proven leader with the ability to leverage past experience and amazing creative knowledge towards the attainment of company goals. He has a background in both start-up and working with fast growth innovative companies and specialize in building a company’s capabilities to rapidly increase revenue, service levels and profits. Currently, Mr. Heang is the President of the Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association (CVEA) and the founder/CEO of Khmer Real Estate Co., Ltd. BROUGHT TO YOU BY:SPONSORED BY:

Internationals are increasing looking to invest their money in the Cambodian real estate market. According to the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction in the first 9 months of 2015 investments in the real estate and construction sector had a combined worth of $1,752 million, as compared to $1,540 million during the same period in 2014, which means an annual increase of 13.8 percent. This is great news for the new developments market! According to Knight Frank Cambodia’s research, namely the Cambodia Real Estate Highlights 2nd Half 2015, the top five investing countries bringing capital to the Cambodia property market were Korea, China, Japan, Britain and Malaysia. Meanwhile, international buyers are particularly motivated to secure property in foreign markets, with around 60 percent buying property with cash up-front.  The world is changing fast, and people are happier than ever to live, work and invest outside of their home nations. In fact, according to the United Nations, around 3.2% of the world’s population has already made the move to live outside their country of origin. This is one reason the international property market is getting hotter everyday. At Realestate.com.kh, through our developer’s marketing packages, we easily and automatically help Cambodian property developers enter the lucrative international property market, make international real estate connections, and, ultimately, sell property to wealthy international buyers – all without leaving their computer chair. Established in 2009, Realestate.com.kh is a website business focused on helping people buy and sell property; and developing the Cambodian real estate market’s exposure to the world! All the leading real estate developers in Cambodia are working with Realestate.com.kh to develop their marketing strategy online and offline, and we are generating qualified sales leads for them everyday. For property sellers there is no need to waste your time and money listing property on other classified websites where user traffic is not related to property. Realestate.com.kh is ranked number 1 for search results on google.com and google.com.kh for almost all property search keywords related to Cambodia. Our website is also mobile and tablet optimized, which is perfect for Cambodia where this type of traffic holds a large market share. Meanwhile, we harness social media marketing to push your property to a wider audience, with over 70,000 Facebook followers and an audience of over 20,000 on LinkedIn. Realestate.com.kh also has a high level of traffic from international investors, around 30-50% of all organic website traffic. But in addition to this, for those developers that choose to list on our site we can also export that listing to international property portals around the world. Realestate.com.kh has an exclusive listing partnership with the Property Guru Group, Asia’s leading online property portal group used by more than 11 million property buyers and generating over 500,000 enquiries every month – as the market leading website across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. Your listings will be co-listed on all of these Property Guru websites when you list on Realestate.com.kh, generating high quality international sales leads for your sales team or exclusive agency! Furthermore, ListGlobally, another co-listing partner of Realestate.com.kh, is the largest international real estate advertising network in the world and publishes property listings on over 50 leading property portals around the globe – including famous websites such as I-Property Singapore and Malaysia, Realestate.co.jp in Japan and many, many more. Your new development will appear on every single website in the ListGlobally network! When you work with us, Realestate.com.kh also co-list your new development on Juwai.com, the leading property website in China for Chinese interested in International Property Investment. Second only to the USA in terms of international buying power, Chinese buyers represent a tremendous new market opportunity for property sellers in Cambodia and Realestate.com.kh capture this traffic for you through our connection with Juwai. Chinese property buyers are also renowned for paying in cash! Juwai.com is the only international property portal hosted on both sides of China’s Great Firewall, and your listing will be translated and optimized to suit the Chinese market.  Also, early bird discounts are still available for the “Emerging Markets Property Show” in Singapore, a property expo organised by Realestate.com.kh and the Property Guru Group, on the 8th and 9th of October 2016. Cambodian developers can exhibit their projects and close deals with international investors. If you are interested in attending or exhibiting your new development project visit or call Realestate.com.kh on 095911466, 069 436756 or 017 436756, or email info@realestate.com.kh.  Harness the online revolution that is spreading across Cambodia and the globe – and get your listings sold to international investors on Realestate.com.kh today, Cambodia’s home of real estate.

Cambodia’s first eco friendly industrial park, part of a larger mixed use development project named Le Urban Eco Park, was conceptualized by Singapore Developer, CIAC Investment Co Ltd. With its first factory fully operational, Le Urban’s Industrial Park has set its sights on expanding their business rapidly, to remain regionally competitive by designing and structuring their facilities to higher worker health and safety standards than Cambodia has ever seen. In addition, their eco concept brings a host of other financial benefits for their factory owners and tenants by being environmentally friendly, energy efficient, and innovative; all in ways that translate into additional cost savings and improved production efficiencies.SEE THE FULL LISTING AND INQUIRE FOR MORE DETAILS TODAYGreen spaces, parks, staff accommodations, and a commitment to recycling resources and leaving a light carbon footprint have also been incorporated into the master plan to truly make this development a clean and sustainable center of commercial and industrial activity; and one that truly sets the standard for the industry in terms of improving the quality of life for workers and area residents. Le Urban Eco Park is the first of its kind in Cambodia; and their industrial park is leading the way as the only facility awarded the Green Mark Gold Certification by the BCA (The Building and Construction Authority) operating under Singapore’s Ministry of National Development. For more progressive and socially minded factories, having this certification provides greater access and leverage with internationally recognized brands and retailers who value suppliers with a more holistic approach to responsible manufacturing practices. For instance, areas are built to have a wider space where employees have a more comfortable area to work, and improved airflow and ventilation. This is a far cry from what most factories offer in Cambodia currently. These built to order facilities come complete with employee accommodation, canteens and rest areas, and span over a total area covering 18 hectares, with units of up to 100,000 square meters available for lease or purchase. It is estimated to be one of the biggest – if not the biggest – eco park project for the coming years. The developers have incorporated an open and more environmentally-friendly approach by using found elements such as bamboo in its design, replacing air-conditioning with large overhead fans, utilizing more natural light with simple yet pragmatic window placements, and setting aside 30 percent of the development area for gardens and green zones. The result is that owners will spend significantly less money on electricity bills - and can allocate more funds for operations rather than utilities. In addition to its design, C.I.A.C. Investment has also made sure to address the ongoing struggle that industries face in Cambodia with electricity consumption and flooding throughout the eco park. Cambodia has been known to have particularly high electricity costs due to the fact that it imports much of its power from neighboring countries. Le Urban Eco Park will have control over its own electricity supply to meet the demands of the owners at no additional cost. So, there is no need to worry about electricity bills skyrocketing or fluctuating. Le Urban Eco Park also has a sophisticated drainage system that is deep and complex enough to control flooding that may otherwise affect the productivity of workers and the complex at large. Another reason to transfer or expand your business to Le Urban Eco Park is that you can provide low cost but high quality accommodations for your employees and managers who would otherwise be renting out basic and uninspiring flats that barely meet their needs. This is an important factor for owners, as not being able to provide employees sufficient standard of living may eventually lead to losing valued employees. Homes and residential units in this development come fully furnished so your managers don't have anything to worry about except how to improve your business. These condo units and flat house are available for sale now as investment properties; but will also be available for rent through the developer’s sale and leaseback program. Aside from that, the project is also expecting to house around 2,000 factory workers on site in quality dormitories. Your staff will also have canteens, parks, retail and recreational areas conveniently located nearby. Le Urban Eco Park Cambodia is located at National Road 3 , Kandaok, Kandal, which is just 15 minutes away from the Phnom Penh International Airport. So, quick surprise visits will be easy for owners who wish to check how operations are running while connecting flights in Phnom Penh. In conclusion - what makes this the perfect investment for factory owners? It is the developer’s unique focus on three key aspects: standard of quality, construction and efficiency. Le Urban Eco Park not only guarantees that you will get the most out of your money, but it also you save money in the long run - which you can use to further expand your business. Le Urban Eco Park will celebrate its official launch Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at Raffles Hotel Le Royal. The event is invitation only and will include HE Cham Prasidh as Special Guest Speaker and the unveiling of their Project Plan. Interested buyers may contact the sales office for tickets requests, provided there is availability. Change your industry for the better, inquire today to find out more!SEE THE FULL LISTING AND INQUIRE FOR MORE DETAILS TODAY

While rapid growth in Phnom Penh’s condominium market is showing signs of slowing down, one segment ripe for expansion is the serviced apartment market.As Ann Thida, senior associate director of CBRE Cambodia, said in her presentation at the Real Estate Market & Outlook Conference (REMOC) earlier this year, Phnom Penh has the largest share of serviced apartment supply. And according to the CBRE market research, occupancy rates across the entire Phnom Penh serviced apartment market currently stands at 85.8 per cent.The CBRE Cambodia Q4, 2015 report showed than an estimated 35,000 expats apply for permits to work in Cambodia each year. This compares to the supply of Phnom Penh serviced apartments which is currently at 6,494 units. This market-supply imbalance is one of the main reasons price per square meter is relatively high in the capital’s serviced apartment market, compared to comparable markets in Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh.Some monthly rental rates in the hot residential corridors of BKK and Daun Penh reach as high as $3,500 per month.“With Cambodia being classified as a high-growth country, the rising quality of living, and increase in volume of foreign talents and tourists creates demand for quality serviced residences,” said Jeremiah Lee, managing director of Singaporean-based development company, Kingsland Global. Kingsland will soon enter the serviced apartment sector in Phnom Penh with their One18 Residences project, nearing completion, on Street 118.Thida notes that on a broader spectrum across the regional market, Phnom Penh has the lowest rental rates for Grade-A serviced apartments in mainland Southeast Asia, ranging from one- to three-bedrooms.However, Sofia Perez, research and consultancy manager at Knight Frank Cambodia, says, “It doesn’t make sense to look at the serviced apartment sector in isolation, especially here in Cambodia where condominium projects can easily become serviced apartments, and vice versa.” “The biggest distinction between the condominiums and serviced apartment in Cambodia is merely a question of ownership. Both condominiums and serviced apartment units in Cambodia are available for rent, making them indistinguishable to tenants. Larger and more modern serviced apartments also tend to offer similar facilities and services as condominiums,” Perez said. “Therefore, in terms of supply of residential units for rent it will be more than sufficient – especially given the future supply spill-over of condominium units coming online within the next two to three years, which at current are approximately 20,000 units provided that all launched projects are completed on schedule.”Thida added that there is a misconception that the price will solely dictate the success of Phnom Penh serviced apartments as they come online. Perez agrees, saying, “The more important difference is between residential condo and serviced apartment developments that are setting industry standards, versus those that are missing the mark. In this regard, I would say that there is room for good quality residential developments not necessarily only in the high-end category, but across all categories."Within Phnom Penh, Tuol Kork is steadily growing and will soon need a larger supply of quality serviced apartments, suggests Thida; while Daun Penh is showing particularly high occupancy rates.Thida, nevertheless, warned developers that there are still challenges ahead for the serviced apartment market in Phnom Penh, including a lack of adequate parking space and at times poor property management.However, if developers play their cards right, Phnom Penh’s serviced apartment market could play a big role in their pursuit of success.In Thida’s words, “if you put the right property, at the right location and manage it well, the apartment will always have a good chance of success.”

Phnom Penh is now home to 2.2 million residents, with an annual growth of 3.9 percent. With this fast growth of population, the central business districts of the capital, namely Chamkarmon, Daun Penh, Tuol Kouk, and Prampir Meakkakra (a.k.a "7 Makara" in uniform name), saw a slight decrease of population due to the fact that many residents relocated to the suburbs or outskirts of the city, even though the suburbs or outskirts saw a steady increase year over year. We are seeing an outward urban expansion of Phnom Penh. First, this outward urban expansion of Phnom Penh is occurring because central business districts have been surging in land and property prices and as a result owners might have enjoyed this opportunity and sold out for a considerably high price. Then, they use the money to buy property in the outskirts where land and houses are much lower, with leftover profited amount probably used to expand businesses or save for other things. Second, since property in the central business districts are most sought after, they can rent or lease to tenants who use it for business purposes. Then these property owners relocate to the outskirts and settle down there, enjoying their rents with a good price. According to the Cambodia Economic Census 2011, on average up to 55 percent of business establishments in the four mentioned districts had rented locations there for their business operations, higher than did in Dangkao district, the less-commercial area, only about 27 percent. Third, this urban expansion of Phnom Penh may be caused by traffic pressure and rat-race in the central business districts pushing some people to relocate to the suburbs, where they can enjoy more peaceful and calm environment. Even though people have been moving out to the suburbs, central business districts are not quiet. In fact, businesses of all types have been there, patronaged by, for example, expats and working local people during the day. That is the reason we've seen people commute in large numbers from the surburbs and outskirts in the morning and leave for home after work in the evening, causing traffic jams only at the so-called 'rush hours'. Lastly, landed borey housing developments scattered throughout many of the outskirts of the capital, with a large take-up rate on pre-completion and completion, proves that the city is sprawling and the population gather pace at the suburbs to ease traffic and enjoy new communities out there. By Mr Hoem Seiha, Director of Research | VTrust Appraisal Co., Ltd

The Asia Pacific region is the place to be in right now if prime office property and rental growth is what you’re searching for. This is what one of the leading global property consultancy firms, Knight Frank, suggests in their Asia Pacific Prime Office Rental Index 2016 report. According to the firm’s thorough research, the Asia Pacific region has seen a combination of significant progress and constant stability in the first quarter of 2016. This is despite some prominent cities experiencing troubles and slowly slipping down the index.   In the Multi-sector Snapshot Q1 2016 report of Cushman & Wakefield, it is stated that in Beijing, “new supply in core markets elevated the overall vacancy rate, while rents remained stable.” While that may be true, Knight Frank’s data provides insight as to a projected decrease in rental returns and rent prices for the rest of the year for the city. Knight Frank’s report continues to explain that “in the first quarter of 2016, robust leasing demand from domestic firms in the finance and technology sectors drove net absorption to outstrip new supply in Beijing, arresting the downward trend in rents.” Also among the cities that saw a downward rental trend are Jakarta, Perth and Kuala Lumpur; where an expected increase in supply has forced property owners to reduce rent prices, further decreasing rental returns for their properties. This, however, did not slow down or do significant damage to the Asia Pacific Prime Office Rental Index. As the average vacancy decreased by 0.2 percentage points, the index grew by 1 percent in the first quarter and accelerated from 0.2 percent in the previous quarter. The highest contributor to this growth is probably Tokyo which showed the highest 3-month percentage increase of 3.4 percent, followed by Seoul at 2.6 percent where both cities show a projected increase for the next 12 months. As Head of Research for Knight Frank Asia Pacific, Nicholas Holt, puts it, “despite our longer term forecasts suggesting we are nearer to the top of the rental cycle in many markets, the next 12 months will see further rental growth in the majority of markets tracked as tight supply and steady demand prevails.” This growth is expected to be seen across 14 out of 19 cities which include Melbourne, Sydney, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Taipei and Bangkok. "In Southeast Asia, Phnom Penh saw rents remain stable even as a surge in demand drove down the vacancy rate by 10.0 percentage points. With landlords vying to secure tenants as Hongkong Land’s Exchange Square nears completion, this trend is expected to continue." Considering that there are still many factors like government policy changes that may affect this continuous growth, Knight Frank is confident that prime office rental will remain to have stability at the very least. Holt explains, “While the macro-economic story across the region remains uncertain, office markets have tended to see rents hold up fairly well over recent months.” Recent years have showcased both extremes in terms of economic growth and the property market. It’s had its fair share of ups and downs, but as it continues to rise, it will really be an interesting and exciting time for the Asia Pacific region as it learns to nurture and cultivate its potential through proper investments.SEE KNIGHT FRANK CAMBODIA'S PROPERTY NOW

Year after year, the standard living for locals in Cambodia, and in particular Phnom Penh, is increasing. New types of property are changing Cambodian lifestyles; such as new standards of commercial buildings, office towers and co-working spaces, supermarkets, malls, entertainment venues, and modern residential developments. These structures offer proof of an increasingly modern lifestyle being adopted by the people of Cambodia.As this standard of lifestyle rises, increasingly Cambodian property buyers are demonstrating increasing demand for properties of a high standard and high quality. Accordingly, the business competition between property developers and designers in the nation is rising fast.These days we can also see more youth in Cambodia fresh out of school joining the business sector, bringing with them ambition, innovation, and a high level of commitment to their personal and business success.One such business sector being joined by more and more young entrepreneurs is interior design, as the demand for such services grows year on year.Starting a small business in the interior design industry is particularly attractive to the young-business sector in Cambodia because entering the market comes with very little risk, compared to some other professions.A young designer can easily catch a contract for the redesign of a restaurant, entertainment venue or home without a large portfolio of projects under their name and without the need for a lot of start up capital. Assisting them also is the growing popularity of the interior design sector across Cambodia.25 year old, Mavaly Chhoeum, senior staff from Studio INT in Phnom Penh, says that, “most of our interior design and construction projects are venues such as boutique clothes shops, restaurants, spas and many more places like this. Clients usually likes the contemporary concepts, and a try to make their spaces a bit more modern.”She added that, “interior design is highly demanded in the Cambodian market these days and competition is getting tough. It is important to travel to learn new things as much as you can, and always be creative and not a copycat.”“Interior design business and construction is more and more popular in Cambodia” said 29 Heang Venvitou, co-owner of Sathapanak Design and Construction.Interior design projects involve managing the creation of unique, attractive and livable spaces inside buildings. The design might follow trends of local taste or import standards of modern lifestyle through design from other countries around the world. Functionality must always be considered too.A good interior designer will leave their signature on the place that they remodel.Now Sathapanak has a collection of projects in hand, such as: boutique clothing store AXARA, Kobe Restaurant, a Spa, Bank, villa, and condo. For the materials that they use, they generally import from Thailand, Vietnam and some material from local.Interior design is driven by a passion to create something new; and given this aim, young Khmer business people with fresh ideas are perfectly suited to catch the market share in this business sector.Before Cambodia needed to import human resources in interior design from other countries, especially neighboring countries of Vietnam and Thailand – but now young interior designers are demonstrating that this is a local industry of great worth and reliability, and one with many opportunities.Find the best real estate news on Realestate.com.khlook for real estate for rent in Phnom Penh or real estate for sale in Phnom Penh? Check out Realestate.com.kh today.

The Peak, the second project from Oxley Worldbridge, had their official groundbreaking ceremony on May 3 2016 at the project’s construction site, and the Realestate.com.khTV film crew was on the scene! Later that evening, an official launch party was organised at The Peak nightclub. The gala was attended by a host of distinguished guests and partners from Cambodia and overseas, including a famous actress from Singapore and Ms. Katreeya English, a popular pop singer from Thailand.FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PEAK NOW!Riding on the huge success of The Bridge, The Peak @ Cambodia is set to be the most iconic development in Phnom Penh. This beautiful masterpiece is jointly brought to you by renowned developers, Singapore’s Oxley International and Cambodia’s Worldbridge Land. Standing at a magnificent 55 levels tall, this exciting mixed-use development comprises twin residential towers and a commercial skyscraper that will be the tallest building of its class in Phnom Penh, offering residents superb panoramic views of the waterfront and city skyline. Imagine having the fantastic view of the water-fronting skyline while chilling out in the sky-infinity pool on the rooftop level 55. This is not unlike the top-of-the-world feeling one will have while doing the same at the Sands SkyPark on level 57 of Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. The only difference is that you’ll be doing this in the comfort and freedom of your very own private abode.FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PEAK NOW!

In a statement published on its website last Thursday, the World Bank will resume lending to Cambodia, marking the first loans since the World Bank froze all new loans in 2011 surrounding controversy over the Boeung Kak Lake dispute.When the Bank announced the freeze in 2011, Country Director Annette Dixon stated: “Until an agreement is reached with the residents of Boeung Kak Lake, we do not expect to provide any new lending to Cambodia.”The bank’s board of directors have agreed to restart lending for four Cambodian infrastructural projects as of last Thursday’s release, "aimed to bring tangible benefits for Cambodians," said Ulrich Zachau, Country Director of the World Bank for Southeast Asia. In statements this week to realestate.com.kh, the World Bank Cambodia stated that “The World Bank Group prepared the Country Engagement Note (CEN) in partnership with Cambodia, and in close dialogue with Cambodia’s development partners...The CEN envisages financing for seven investment projects, totaling about $250 million, from the International Development Association, or IDA, the Bank’s fund for the poorest.” “Over the next year,” said the Bank, “our focus will be to engage closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure adequate completion of the preparation of planned projects.”  As a build up to recent announcements of restarting loans, the World Bank Group (WBG) had conducted a series of consultations across Cambodia last year, from June 29 to July 13, inviting a range of stakeholders to exchange their opinions with the Bank regarding Cambodia’s development opportunities and potential issues in coming years.While the consultation process included 17 face-to-face meetings with 635 stakeholders, including national and sub-national government officials and representatives, parliamentarians, private sector and civil society representatives, development partners and UN agencies, according to a summary of the Bank’s website, the remaining evictees and community leaders of Boeung Kak were not involved in the process at any point. According to a host of NGO representatives, community leaders and past and present evictees of Boeung Kak Lake, such a new loan would undermine the World Bank director’s statements, the Inspection Panel Report 2011, and the 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act - US regulation that calls for remedial action from the Bank regarding the Boeung Kak case, supported by the US Treasury, one of the Bank’s largest funding sources. Eang Vuthy, executive director for Equitable Cambodia, who has met with the Bank’s Washington office on several occasions, the latest in early 2015 with World Bank management staff, says the Bank has consistently cited the same excuse for inaction over the Boeung Kak issue: “Nothing can be done without Government cooperation.” In statements this week to realestate.com.kh, the World Bank Cambodia has said that, “Land issues remain an important development agenda for Cambodia. Fair and peaceful resolution of land conflict is critical to Cambodia’s sustained economic and social development. We welcome the substantial progress made to date in the provision of land titles in the Boeung Kak Lake area, where only a few remaining families remain in negotiations with the Municipality of Phnom Penh over size of land titles now.”

Phnom Penh, May 17, 2016: C.I.A.C. Investment is pleased to announce the development of Cambodia’s first ecologically friendly satellite town – ‘Le Urban Eco Park’. Promoting a greener standard of work and living space, this mixed-use development project along National Road 3 is just 15 minutes from Phnom Penh International Airport and about 30 minutes from the city center.  Le Urban Eco Park is founded on the principles of creating a unique and integrated community that incorporates industrial, commercial, and residential areas, whilst pioneering a new approach to environmental responsibility. Inspired by a vision where communities thrive in harmonious balance with the environment, and driven by pragmatism and energy efficient planning, the team at C.I.A.C. has combined sustainable practices with technological innovation to lighten their carbon footprint throughout the entire site.  Le Urban Eco Park boasts buildings and workspaces designed to save energy, manage resources, and mitigate waste. SEE THE FULL LISTING AND INQUIRE FOR MORE DETAILS TODAYResidents and businesses benefit from significantly lower utility costs as a result of the developer’s energy efficient design, which include solar powered water heating systems, advanced lighting controls, keycard entry system, and Singapore standard water treatment system.  Le Urban Eco Park is an integrated community that promotes the wellbeing of its residents with a greener and cleaner living environment.  The use of natural light and found elements, such as bamboo, helps the park to create a cooler, brighter, and more energy efficient environment, while providing a modern look and feel.  In addition, the developer has purposefully reserved over 30% of the green spaces to be used for public parks, recreation, and leisure areas.  The aesthetics of this groundbreaking design concept will benefit everyone living and working in this eco-friendly environment.  “With more than 20 years of experience in real estate and industrial development in Cambodia, we wanted to raise the bar and initiate a unique new concept with energy conservation and long-term sustainability as our priorities. We believe that everyone should have an obligation to protect the environment.  As the developer, we are dedicated to being responsible members of our community.  We are mindful about how we use water resources, what materials we use, how we treat waste, and try to source as much as we can locally to further support the surrounding communities. We also want the staff to work in more comfortable surroundings, which means a clean, green, and healthy environment.  We believe that a good work environment leads to better productivity. At Le Urban Eco Park, sustainability is integrated, intuitive, and innovative,” said Kelvin Chua, Sales & Marketing Director of Le Urban Eco Park.  C.I.A.C. Investment is proud to announce that the Eco Park’s industrial facilities have been awarded the Green Mark Gold Certification by the BCA (The Building and Construction Authority) operating under Singapore’s Ministry of National Development.  These built to order facilities come complete with employee accommodation, canteens, and rest areas, and span over a total area covering 18 hectares, with units of up to 100,000 square meters available for lease or purchase.  The residential apartment condominiums are freehold tenure with no foreign ownership restrictions.  They guarantee returns of 30% over 5 years, provide attractive rental yields and high capital appreciation.  Bank financed home loans are available for interested buyers with 25 year term at a competitive 9% p.a. interest rate.  Construction of the units is nearly complete, with key handover expected to take place before the end of 2016.  The development will also feature a brand new retail experience, the ‘Eco Park Mall’, combining commercial and retail shop houses, food and beverage kiosks, within a mixed-use commercial and residential area. The mall, the first of its kind in the area, is open to the public and will target youth and lifestyle retail businesses, technology, convenience, and fashion accessory shops and bring them to Cambodia’s next generation of young consumers, families, and travellers.  Shop houses are available for sale off-plan and will officially launch June 8th, 2016, with construction slated to be complete by mid 2017. About Le Urban Eco Park: Le Urban Eco Park is conceptualized and developed by C.I.A.C. Investment Limited, a subsidiary of Ocean Sky Investment Pte Ltd., Singapore. With over 20 years’ experience in real estate and industrial development in Cambodia, the company’s green efforts extend beyond operational aspects of development, to having a more sustainable and positive impact on the environment.SEE THE FULL LISTING AND INQUIRE FOR MORE DETAILS TODAY

The rising Cambodia economic growth in recent years has indicate strong positive signs in its property market. With an estimated USD1.75 billion worth of construction investment, land prices in Phnom Penh most premium areas have risen up to a 100% with a slew of luxury residential projects. So it is the perfect time for an Exclusive Cambodian Property Show in Singapore!Investors can preview the latest projects while gaining insights from industry leaders and developers directly on how the Cambodia property market will fare in 2016 and beyond. Head down to the Cambodian Property Show in Singapore at the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel 28 & 29 of May 2016 and listen to what the industry experts have to share and, to find out the most sought-after residential projects. Sign up for this event today and receive an exclusive set of vouchers worth more than S$500* at our registration counter and, stand a chance to win a staycation at Hollandse Country Club and dining vouchers at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel worth more than S$1,000*! ARE YOU BASED IN SINGAPORE?Come and learn more about exciting Cambodian projects at the Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel, Singapore: MAY 28 & 29!

Camhomes would like to congratulate all new buyers who came and booked units at “The D’Seaview Exhibition” at AEON Mall from 7-15 May!Buyers who visited the D’Seaview exhibition on 7 May at @AEON enjoyed the special offer from Camhomes: “Buy one get one free,” for retail and residential unit purchases.During the roadshow at Aeon, new buyers also enjoyed Double Prizes! Including instant gifts of Samsung S7 Smartphones, and the chance to win a Honda Scoopy 2015, TV, oven and fan. Learn more about current promotions!And everybody got a chance to meet Cambodian celebrity: Aok Sokunkanha! Thanks to Camhomes!Even if you missed the show at Aeon Mall last week, it is not too late to secure your dream home in D’Seaview in Sihanoukville!  Inquire today with the friendly Camhomes team in Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville!

Property development in Cambodia has grown exponentially in the past 10 years, alongside the nation’s overall economic growth; with the national GDP rising around 7% every each year. And as the year on year property growth continues in Phnom Penh, the market is also witnessing an evolution in the quality standards of property management. While professional standard property management has been an ongoing concern in the Cambodian market for many years, now landlords, property developers and real estate owners alike do not need to worry about the maintenance and management of their most valuable assets...

Welcome to another real estate news recap, from Realestate.com.kh – your leader in property information! Keep up to date with market changes, and be an investor with FORESIGHT!Cambodia and Russia Partnership:In a discussion May 16 with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen proposed converting a portion of the $1.5 billion that Cambodia owes to Russia into economic and investment cooperation opportunities. This was on his recent visit to Russia. While there has been no clear statement of how the two countries will go about this issue, Medvedev and Hun Sen continued to sign an agreement that put importance on trade, investments and defense. This, according to the prime ministers, will strengthen and highlight the relationship of the two countries which already spans decades in history.The Rise of Sihanoukville:While Prime Minister Hun Sen discussed investment opportunities and economic alliances in Russia, the Cambodian Minister of Tourism, Thong Khon, and the Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction, Chea Sophara, had their own discussions about portioning Sihanoukville into three segments or sections to make it more manageable. The three sections will be characterized as luxury beaches with the private sector, public beaches with the private sector and public entertainment beaches. How this affects zoning and property allocations remains to be seen.The Division of Sihanoukville:The segmentation of Sihanoukville seemed like a fair agreement for everyone. After all, this will allow authorities to easily manage local policies and accesses. Everything seems fair, of course, until someone says it isn’t. This is the case with 14 vendors whose stalls and businesses were demolished in the Ochheuteal beach on April 9. This was after an eviction notice was given to them on March 13. It was reported that there were around 30 stalls that were dismantled to make way for infrastructure and a garden. Some of the vendors had agreed to the $3,500 compensation, but there are still a few who refuse to come to terms with this new development. The evicted vendors had already filed a complaint with the Interior Ministry last Tuesday. As a result of this, Secretary-General Khieu Sopheak has tried communicating with Preah Sihanouk Provincial Governor Yun Min to see if this issue can be resolved peacefully.A First for Pursat Province:Since the discovery of an investment potential for a development in Pursat Province, local developer – Green Trade – is planning to build a mall and flat along National Road 5 at the Lor Lork Sor district. This road bears much value as the connector of Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh and Phnom Penh. According to Okhna Phou Puy, the head of the Cambodian Rice Millers Association and also the director of Green Trade, the development will also build a farmer’s market and compound flats. Construction is expected to start by the year 2017 where they hope it will meet the New Year with a bang.Chroy Changvar Land Titling:With a welcoming embrace of doubt, local groups for land rights had warmed up to the announcement of District Governor Klang Huot that titling will start this week for residents affected by the Overseas Cambodia Investment Corporation (OCIC) development which is valued at around $1.6 million. Klang Huot adds that officials coming from the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction will arrive to also inspect the communes of Prek Tasek and Prek Leap. Residents were advised to ready their land documentations and plot their lands but have yet to receive details about how much the compensation will be. Officials have yet to confirm the final terms for the said titling.EEU Free Trade Zone: In a statement made by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov at the Russia-ASEAN Summit held in Sochi, he reveals that a number of countries in Southeast Asia have expressed the will to create a free trade zone agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union so as to establish healthier business ties and investment opportunities amongst them. These countries include Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore. It’s still not clear whether the EEU is open to accepting this type of partnership with the above-mentioned countries. Until this is confirmed, the free trade zone remains to be a possibility and a topic of interest.

With the decline of investment opportunities and political stability in neighboring countries and traditional hubs of international real estate investment, more and more foreign investors are closing in on the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Cambodian real estate sector. As this vehicle for growth continues, it pays to step back and consider the major victories and potential pitfalls of the Cambodian real estate sector as a whole. Despite beginning from a highly distressed market around 25 years ago, Cambodia has slowly moved through the ranks and emerged as one of Asia’s fastest growing economies. One reason for this is because of revisions to government policy that have made business transactions much easier, convenient and increasingly transparent. This isn’t only profitable for the international market, but also for the local developers and consultancies who have been working to make the construction and Cambodian real estate sector a major contributor to macro-growth of the Cambodian economy.The government’s efforts to assist this sector to thrive has resulted in increased gross domestic product - where in 2015, the World Bank declared that the country’s GDP rose from roughly $16 billion to $18 billion; with construction as the overriding driver behind this growth. The Asian Development Outlook by ADB also mentioned that “Cambodian economy remains strong, despite a slight growth for 2015 and 2016 due to economic disturbances, with a forecast at 7 percent GDP growth in 2015 and 7.2 percent in 2016.” In his talk at the Real Estate Market & Outlook Conference 2016 (REMOC), Hoem Seiha, the director of research for VTrust Appraisal, explains that this may be one of the contributing factors to the continuous progression of population incomes; which grew from $102 per capita in 2009 to $136 per capita in 2013. This is confirmed through a research report made by the National Institute of Statistics. This has led to a rising of the middle class as well, mentioned Hoem, increasing consumer spending across the board.As 2016 rolls on, Hoem also believes that commercial properties are now reaping the fruits of their construction cost and labor as new commercial developments are seeing more and more income from a larger share of the population. Some of these developments include the Sovanna Mall, Canadia Tower, Phnom Penh Tower, Vattanac Capital Tower and the AEON shopping mall. To confirm this point, CBRE Cambodia has projected that about 300,000sqm of net leasable retail areas will be available for commercial occupation by the closing of 2016.Shop houses and villas within “borey” land projects still remain the preferred option for Cambodian buyers; who see in-house financing deals from developers and staggered payment terms as a key advantage when looking for a new family home. Shophouse flats which have multiple floors, one of which opens to the street, also remain a popular choice for local investors and buyers, such as newly-wed couples, because these can be used for both residential and business opportunities. Cambodian’s generally want an opportunity to own their own business, even on a small scale - and these types of properties allow for this. There is, however, a slight change of pace for the Cambodian real estate sector as condominium sales have slowed and may continue to slow, notes Hoem. According to Century 21 Cambodia, the Sales-to-Stock ratio in the condo sector took a knock from 25 percent to 7 percent in 2015 to 2016 alone. But it may be too early to tell if this will be the case for the whole year or not. Hoem states that this effect may be due to the fact that the condominium market has an excessive supply given local uptake, and a demand that has become predominantly dependent on foreign buyers. This is due to the average price per unit being out of reach for most locals, a lack of appropriate financing options for local needs and a lack of demand for non-landed properties according to domestic Cambodian tastes and preferences. As Cambodia reaches for its full potential, there are still a few threats that it has to acknowledge and learn from. Learning from these indicators is necessary for Cambodia and the Cambodian real estate sector to maintain economic progress and a competitive edge. One thing is for sure though – its future remains exciting!