USABC Eyes Expanded Investment in Cambodia’s Financial Sector

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 3, 2025) — The U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) is planning to expand investment in Cambodia’s financial sector, with American companies pledging to deepen cooperation and explore new opportunities in fintech and innovation.

The commitment was outlined during a meeting between Chea Serey, governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, and a delegation led by Ted Osius, senior vice president and regional managing director of the council, accompanied by U.S. Embassy officials in Phnom Penh, on December 2.

Delegation members, representing major U.S. firms already operating in Cambodia, shared updates on their activities and confirmed plans to broaden operations in financial services. They praised Cambodia’s pro-business policies under Prime Minister Hun Manet and highlighted the central bank’s support for transparency and financial integrity.

Chea Serey welcomed the investment interest, stressing the importance of open dialogue with U.S. partners. She pointed to Cambodia’s successful Bakong payment system — a blockchain-based platform launched by the National Bank of Cambodia in 2020 — as a model of public-private collaboration. Bakong integrates mobile payments, e-wallets and online banking into a single system, enabling instant transactions in riel and U.S. dollars. Analysts say Bakong has positioned Cambodia to make a significant leap in financial inclusion, though its long-term impact depends on policy execution.

Cambodia’s rapid expansion of digital payments has made fintech a key driver of economic modernization. The Bakong system, co-developed with Japanese-Swiss fintech firm Soramitsu, has already been embraced by dozens of financial institutions and millions of users nationwide.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation, promote a favorable investment climate and continue discussions on Cambodia’s economic outlook, challenges and future opportunities.