Gareth Johnson
The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (IndoCham) has marked its first year of operations by hosting over 50 members and associates to celebrate and reflect on the many milestones already achieved.
Reflecting on IndoCham’s achievements over the year, Chairman Dalton Wong said, “The chamber was established just one year ago and yet we have been able to gather many Indonesians in Cambodia from various industries to participate in most of our events”.
“As a young chamber, we are extremely proud of what we have achieved in the past year. Such as organizing a successful Chambers & Friends Golf Tournament as well as receiving delegates that travel across countries hosting side meetings between ministers from both Cambodia and Indonesia during the ASEAN economic summit,” Dalton added.
IndoCham: “Unity in Diversity”
The Chamber and Friends Golf Tournament was a particular highlight of the calendar and explained cross-chamber collaboration, attracting competitors from other well-established chambers as well as prominent business leaders and politicians in Cambodia.
To read more about the chambers & friends golf tournament click here
The chamber currently has 45 members and operates under the country’s national phrase Bhinneka Tunggal Ika “Unity in Diversity” (one is more) and is considered a signature initiative under Ambassador H.E. Sudirman Haseng.
Founded with a strong inclusive principle of not only being engaged in business but also introducing socio-cultural and positive Indonesian values in the eyes of Cambodians the chamber has been able to achieve strong cross-chamber collaboration.
To read more about the launch of IndoCham in 2021 click here.
Increasing bilateral trade and investment
Cambodia and Indonesia have been looking to increase bilateral trade with the latest 5-year (2017-2021) trade balance increase by only 1.90%. Exports to Cambodia grew around 0.96% while imports from Cambodia grew around 15.80% over the same period.
The Indonesian Embassy has previously identified major investment opportunities in Cambodia in the agriculture, agro-industry, renewable energy, and construction and real estate sectors.
Cambodia may also seek future cooperation with Indonesia in the importing of natural resources as several coal-power plants are scheduled to be operational soon.
Looking to the future Dalton said: “IndoCham will continue to be an active chamber in our host country and will encourage our members to be better and more responsible citizens in this country”.