Cambodia Investment Review
In the culmination of a year-long endeavor to reinforce the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Cambodia, the 19th “Give a Day” event served as a capstone to 2023’s ambitious agenda, bridging gaps and forging connections across the growing startup as well as Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises in the Kingdom.
Held at Khmer Enterprise Headquarters in Phnom Penh, the event reflected a year of strategic workshops aimed at elevating the business and investment discourse throughout Cambodia. Co-managed by Khmer Enterprise (KE) and Swisscontact, “Give a Day” has progressively established itself as a pivotal platform for networking, sharing expertise, and addressing critical issues faced by Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), with a notable focus on women-owned businesses.
Read more: Give A Day 18 on Strengthening the ESO Ecosystem & e-Friend’s Networking In Siem Reap
The initiative has been instrumental in advancing crucial areas such as financial literacy, investment readiness for startups, skill development, and fostering robust support networks. These targeted efforts have yielded significant engagement, with a majority of attendees in key cities reporting the establishment of new connections and the fortification of existing ones.
Each workshop, hosted in both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap throughout the year, has addressed central themes from understanding the role of credit guarantee schemes to spotlighting the resilience and innovation within the Cambodian entrepreneurial landscape. The sessions have also illuminated the various facets of enterprise support organizations (ESOs), the evolution of the entrepreneurship ecosystem, and the opportunities lying therein, particularly for women entrepreneurs.
Give a Day Initiative Lauded for Bolstering Startup Ecosystem in Cambodia
The initiative’s year-long run has drawn positive feedback from significant players within the entrepreneurial sphere some positive feedback included:
The Asian Development Bank recognized “Give a Day” as a great platform that allowed for deeper connections with the developing startup ecosystem. WeAct, an early backer of the initiative, highlighted the sustainability of the program, while the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia commended it as a valuable starting point for ecosystem growth. Aquarii praised the initiative’s efficacy, singling out the co-hosting event as a notable highlight that fostered innovation and refinement within the entrepreneurial community.
As “Give a Day” looks to 2024, it aims to broaden its impact with more co-hosted events and encourages the ecosystem to contribute ideas for topics. The approach for the upcoming year is one of inclusivity, seeking to expand the ecosystem’s reach and to collaborate with a greater number of organizations, including a return to previous hosts that have been instrumental to the startup scene in Cambodia.
Rajiv Pradhan Country Director of Cambodia for Swisscontact reflected on the program’s expansion over the past year, attributing much of the success to the informal nature of the events which has effectively attracted a broader audience to the ecosystem. He expressed excitement for exploring different models in the forthcoming year, with an emphasis on adapting to the distinct demands of the diverse locales across Cambodia.
Cambodia’s Ecosystem Strengthening Conference 2023
As an anticipatory note, the entrepreneurial community is poised for the grand finale of the year with the Cambodia’s Ecosystem Strengthening Conference 2023 (CAMESCO23), an annual conference set to convene local and international stakeholders to navigate the multifaceted challenges and opportunities inherent in Cambodia’s entrepreneurial and investment ecosystem. Scheduled for December 8 at the Fairfield by Marriott Phnom Penh, this event is expected to be a pivotal moment for stakeholders to strategize and collaborate for the future.
Read more: Cambodia’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Strengthening Is Underway With CAMESCO 2022
The “Give a Day” initiative’s 2023 closing event not only offered a retrospective of the key insights from the series but also provided a forward-looking perspective, setting the stage for continued progress and the enhancement of the entrepreneurial support system in Cambodia. It underlined the collective efforts, the shared expertise, and the reinforced friendships and mentorships that are shaping the nation’s entrepreneurial destiny.
The series has emerged as more than just a collection of workshops and networking sessions; it has become a shared journey of entrepreneurs, mentors, and visionaries. It’s a testament to the undying spirit of innovation and collaboration that characterizes Cambodia’s economic landscape and holds the promise of a vibrant future for its enterprising citizens.
