Cambodia Leadership Review Top 50 2025: Soreasmey Ke Bin – CEO & Founder at Confluences

Cambodia Leadership Review

Soreasmey Ke Bin, CEO & Founder of Confluences, leads a firm dedicated to bridging international business with Cambodia’s growth potential. With a decade of experience, Confluences supports market entry, investment, and long-term business integration, focusing on collaboration and adaptability to drive sustainable success.

Leadership Values and Guiding Principles

CLR: Soreasmey, with nearly 25 years of experience in Cambodia and the Greater Mekong Subregion, what core values and guiding principles have shaped your leadership approach? How have these values influenced your ability to guide businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs through market entry and expansion?

My approach to leadership is built on two key principles: discovery and initiative. Discovery means being open to new encounters and experiences—both good and bad—as they always provide valuable lessons. Initiative means taking action instead of simply following instructions, getting involved in collective ventures, and gradually learning how to build and lead projects.

Cambodia played a key role in shaping my entrepreneurial path. Had I stayed in France, I’m not sure I would have taken this direction. The opportunities in Cambodia encouraged me to take risks, but the real challenge was learning from both successes and failures. Over time, I turned these experiences into insights that now guide the businesses we support. Every new project teaches us something new, and I try to pass this mindset on to our teams.

At Confluences, we encourage our teams to stay open to new opportunities. We never turn down a meeting because every interaction has the potential to lead somewhere valuable. We also believe in the importance of community involvement—giving time and effort beyond business. The more we contribute, the stronger the ecosystem becomes, and in the long run, those who give are often those who receive the most.

Challenges and Opportunities in Market Expansion

CLR: With Cambodia’s evolving business landscape and growing integration into regional trade networks, what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for companies looking to enter and expand in the market? How is Confluences addressing these challenges to support businesses, particularly those from France looking to establish a presence in Cambodia?

Our leadership team is mostly French-Cambodian, but we work with companies and entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. Cambodia remains The Growth Kingdom, a country with steady but often overlooked economic growth. The workforce is young and increasingly skilled, making it a strong asset for businesses looking to expand. The Cambodian economy is also one of the most open in the region, with local businesses and authorities welcoming new players—both local and foreign—as long as they bring value and help move the economy forward.

The biggest challenge, however, is the market size. Foreign companies often prioritize larger neighboring economies first. Our role is to show them that Cambodia is an ideal test market—open, flexible, and with fewer restrictions—before expanding into the broader Mekong region.

Beyond that, we actively promote Cambodia as a potential platform for trade and investment. The country itself is becoming more capable of playing that role thanks to improvements in infrastructure. However, attracting businesses is only part of the equation—keeping them here is just as important. Authorities must ensure that companies already operating in Cambodia are supported in the long run. A company that succeeds in Cambodia becomes one of its best ambassadors, attracting more investment and talent.

Confluences’ Role in Supporting Business Growth

CLR: As the founding CEO of Confluences, you’ve helped over 200 companies navigate market entry and expansion. What key strategies and innovations have contributed to your success in guiding international and local businesses in Cambodia and the Greater Mekong Subregion? Additionally, how has Confluences played a role in strengthening French investment and business ties in Cambodia?

When we launched Confluences ten years ago, we faced many challenges. We entered the market early, and the first years were anything but easy. But those experiences helped us refine our approach, better understand what companies need, and build a service offering that meets real market expectations.

Over time, we became a key player in the Cambodia-France business relationship. This was no accident—it was the result of years of involvement in the French-Cambodian Chamber of Commerce, participation in major economic events, and hands-on support for French companies entering the market. However, our reach has since expanded far beyond France. Today, our client portfolio includes businesses from all over the world. What matters to us is not their origin but their potential to make a real impact in Cambodia—whether through investment, job creation, or innovation.

We are now focused on attracting companies with a long-term vision. Cambodia is not just a short-term business opportunity; it is a market where companies can grow and bring lasting value. That’s why we go beyond simple market entry support—we help businesses integrate, navigate challenges, and find ways to contribute meaningfully to the local economy.

At the same time, we continue to promote Cambodia internationally. Through participation in economic forums and industry events abroad, we work to strengthen the country’s visibility. We believe that more companies should be involved in this effort—Cambodia needs a stronger presence on the global stage to attract the right investors and partners.

Soreasmey Ke Bin, CEO of Confluences and Sven Callebaut of Concorde Consultants.

The Future of Business in Cambodia

CLR: Looking ahead, what is your outlook on Cambodia’s business environment and economic opportunities? How do you see the role of entrepreneurs, startups, and foreign investors—particularly from France—evolving in this market? What role will Confluences play in shaping this future?

Cambodia is at a turning point. The country’s rapid development means that it can no longer rely as much on international aid and must instead strengthen its private sector. For that to happen, Cambodian businesses and entrepreneurs need to be prepared—with the right skills, structure, and long-term strategy.

Like many companies in Cambodia, we at Confluences have grown quickly—sometimes too quickly. That’s why we are now focusing on our own transformation: improving internal processes, investing in digitalization, and strengthening our teams. The coming years will be highly competitive, and businesses that want to succeed must be ready to adapt.

Foreign investors bring more than just financial capital—they also bring expertise, networks, and new business models. However, for Cambodia to fully benefit from these contributions, local companies must be able to integrate and make the most of these resources. That requires identifying strengths and weaknesses and working collectively to improve.

At Confluences, we have learned from experience, and we are ready to share what we have learned. The future of Cambodia’s economy depends on the combined efforts of local and foreign businesses, and we are committed to playing our part. By working together, we can help speed up Cambodia’s development in a way that is both sustainable and impactful.

Cambodia Investment Review, in partnership with the International Business Chamber of Cambodia, has officially launched the Cambodia Leadership Review – 50 International Voices 2025. Now in its second edition, the publication highlights 50 of the most influential international business leaders and innovators contributing to Cambodia’s dynamic economic landscape.

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