Phnom Penh): On Friday afternoon, August 28, 2026, at the Anti-Corruption Unit headquarters, a signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on “Cooperation to Promote Transparency, Cleanliness, and a Better Business Environment” was held between the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) and the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce (CCC), under the distinguished presence of His Excellency Samdech Kittisanghabandit Men Sam An, Supreme Personal Advisor to the King of the Kingdom of Cambodia and Chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Council.
The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding was attended by His Excellency Dr. Om Yentieng, Senior Minister and Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and Neak Oknha Kith Meng, President of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Private Sector Working Group Coordinating Committee for the Government-Private Sector Forum Mechanism (GPSF) and Chairman of the ASEAN Business Consultative Council for Cambodia.
The ceremony was also attended by representatives of ministries and government institutions, members of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce, representatives of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce in the capital and provinces, co-chairs of the private sector working group, representatives of private institutions and associations, representatives of the International Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, and relevant officials of the UNFCCC and many other stakeholders.
Madam Chib Yuthari The President of the Cambodia-International Economic Cooperation Development Association (CIAECD) also participated in this important event. Ms. Chip Yuthary said: This is an important task to help the development of the private sector in Cambodia and create a better investment environment in Cambodia, as well as enable Cambodia to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI).
The forum was attended by distinguished witnesses from key ministries and institutions, such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, the General Department of Taxation, and the General Department of Customs and Excise. Such a broad gathering of relevant institutions reflects the scale and weight of a national strategy that goes beyond ordinary agreements, but rather a nation-building movement towards excellence, «Clean Business.»
The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is a historic event and an important step in the close cooperation between the Anti-Corruption Unit and the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce with the aim of protecting clean private companies, eliminating unfair competition, increasing confidence among national and international investors, and attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in line with ASEAN and global best practices. In particular, it is not only a symbol of cooperation between the institutions, but also a strong signal to national and international investors that Cambodia promotes transparency, cleanliness, and a good business environment in a spirit in which both the state and the private sector work together.
Speaking on this honorable occasion, Oknha Kith Meng outlined the following five key points and strategic recommendations:
1. High evaluation of the openness of the UNSC, which has given confidence in the UNSC to serve as an official “single point of contact” to help facilitate and forward complaints and concerns from the private sector, and proposes to establish a direct line of communication between the focal points of the two institutions as soon as possible.
2. Propose to expedite the preparation of joint Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by setting clear time frames, transparent response mechanisms, and strict confidentiality of information to build confidence among business people and investors in Cambodia.
3. Establish an annual dialogue mechanism: Propose the establishment of an «annual dialogue mechanism» or forum between the leadership of the UNFCCC and the UNFCCC (private sector representatives) to systematically address challenges and raise awareness of compliance obligations.
4. Training and dissemination cooperation: The Cambodia Anti-Corruption Commission (CAC) collaborates with the Cambodian Anti-Corruption Commission (CAC) to organize training courses and seminars to raise awareness of anti-corruption laws and business ethics among traders, businessmen, businesspeople, and investors in Cambodia.
5. Protecting clean business and creating a level playing field: Request the UNFCCC to continue to support and protect companies/enterprises that comply with the law to strengthen Cambodia's competitiveness.
Through this Memorandum of Understanding, the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce is also to strengthen the role and clearly demonstrate the mission and objectives of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce as a private sector representative institution, which is the only official outlet with the authority to accept all complaints from businessmen and investors to be forwarded to the Anti-Corruption Unit in coordination to resolve the challenges of businessmen and investors both domestically and internationally with transparency, a good business environment, ensuring confidentiality and eliminating informal costs. This MoU clearly defines the obligations for both parties. The Cambodian Chamber of Commerce must ensure its role as a bridge, coordinating, receiving and discussing and forwarding complaints from members to the Anti-Corruption Unit in accordance with legal procedures, as well as disseminating the Anti-Corruption Law to members of the Anti-Corruption Unit nationwide. The Anti-Corruption Unit Committed to protecting and promoting integrity, fully supporting the participation of stakeholders, and maintaining strict confidentiality of sources of information and evidence obtained legally — ensuring that all such information will be reviewed and action taken in accordance with the authorities, adhering to professionalism and absolute respect for legal procedures.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has consistently emphasized the policy of building a culture of integrity in the economic sector in a global context where competition to attract investment is becoming more intense. This MoU is a concrete response to that direction and a message to the world that Cambodia is not only talking about reforms but is also building concrete mechanisms for public and private institutions to work together to ensure a transparent and high-trust investment environment.
Both institutions called on all ministries, state institutions, businessmen, and investors who are members of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce to support the implementation of this MoU to produce tangible results, aiming for Cambodia to become an attractive and clean investment location for long-term national economic progress and sustainability.
