Cambodia, IFC Plan Stronger Consumer Protection in Financial Sector

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Nov. 26, 2025) — Cambodia’s central bank and the International Finance Corporation are planning new steps to strengthen consumer protection in the financial sector, officials said following a meeting this week in Phnom Penh.

Chea Serey, governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, met Tuesday with an IFC delegation led by Towfiqua Hoque, the corporation’s country manager. The talks focused on progress in consumer protection initiatives and future cooperation to expand financial literacy.

Hoque presented findings from an IFC study recommending ways to enhance consumer safeguards and reaffirmed IFC’s commitment to support priority actions endorsed in recent high‑level dialogues coordinated by the central bank and the United Nations in Cambodia.

She also pledged continued investment in Cambodia’s financial sector and readiness to collaborate on strengthening financial knowledge nationwide.

In response, Serey praised past cooperation with IFC and welcomed further investment. She highlighted campaigns already underway, including educational videos, community seminars, promotion of the riel, integration of financial literacy into the national curriculum, and implementation of standardized credit contracts.

Serey also noted challenges such as informal lending, stressing the need for joint efforts from all stakeholders to reinforce consumer protection and ensure responsible access to financial services.