Cambodia Investment Review
Cambodia’s credit guarantee framework entered a new phase this week as the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) marked its fifth anniversary with the launch of a new guarantee scheme aimed at supporting priority sectors and expanding access to finance for businesses and individuals.
The anniversary event, held on January 27 at the Sun and Moon Riverside Hotel in Phnom Penh, was co-organized by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia under the theme “Five Years of Strategic Guarantees for Inclusive Economic Development.” The ceremony was presided over by Aun Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, and brought together around 150 participants from public institutions, development partners, banks, microfinance institutions, securities firms, and business associations.
Since its establishment, CGCC has played a growing role in Cambodia’s financial system, particularly during periods of economic stress. The anniversary served both as a stocktake of the institution’s performance over the past five years and as a platform to outline its next phase of policy support aligned with national development priorities.
A new guarantee scheme focused on priority sectors
A key highlight of the event was the official launch of “Individual Guarantee Plus,” a new CGCC scheme designed to support government strategies and priority sectors, including rice and cassava production, manufacturing, social housing development, and affordable housing.
Under the new scheme, borrowers will be able to submit an Expression of Interest directly to CGCC to obtain a credit guarantee of up to USD 10 million per loan. The facility is intended to support both working capital needs and business expansion, while allowing CGCC to jointly assess borrowers’ repayment capacity alongside participating financial institutions.
The new scheme builds on existing credit guarantee mechanisms but is structured to provide larger ticket sizes and more direct engagement with borrowers. Officials indicated that the initiative is expected to strengthen risk-sharing between lenders and the state while encouraging financial institutions to extend credit to sectors that are strategically important but often face financing constraints.
Recognizing financial institutions and enterprise beneficiaries
As part of the anniversary program, the Ministry of Economy and Finance presented Outstanding Awards to the top three participating financial institutions that disbursed the highest number of guaranteed accounts in 2025. The recipients were ABA Bank, Maybank, and Sathapana Bank, reflecting their active role in channeling guaranteed financing to businesses.
Awards were also presented to leading enterprise beneficiaries that made effective use of CGCC-backed loans. These included Sek Meas Ricemill, Bayon Heritage Holding Group Co., Ltd, and Samnang Dina Lumchang Water Supply, highlighting the range of sectors—from agriculture and processing to infrastructure and utilities—that have benefited from the guarantee framework.
In addition, Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to ten CGCC employees in recognition of long service, professionalism, and dedication to the development of the institution over its first five years of operation.
Credit guarantees as a policy tool
In his remarks, Aun Pornmoniroth described the establishment of CGCC as a strategic intervention by the Royal Government of Cambodia during the sixth legislature of the National Assembly. He pointed to the role of credit guarantees in supporting economic recovery and stability, particularly during the global COVID-19 crisis, while aligning with international best practices and Cambodia’s domestic socio-economic conditions.
According to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, credit guarantees have contributed to several key policy objectives, including expanding financial inclusion for small and medium-sized enterprises, strengthening private sector development through investment and job creation, and enhancing economic resilience by sharing risk during periods of external shock.
Five years of growth and expanding impact
CGCC operates as a state-owned enterprise under the financial and technical supervision of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, with a mandate to enhance access to finance and support inclusive economic growth.
Over its first five years, CGCC has rolled out seven individual guarantee schemes, 17 portfolio guarantee agreements, one bond guarantee agreement, and three wholesale guarantee agreements. It has also implemented the Entrepreneurship Program Initiative of CGCC (EPIC), aimed at supporting early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs.
As of December 31, 2025, CGCC had approved credit guarantees for 9,556 business loan accounts nationwide, with a total guaranteed value of USD 521.28 million. These figures underscore the institution’s expanding footprint in Cambodia’s financial sector and its role in supporting lending activity across a wide range of industries.
With the introduction of Individual Guarantee Plus, CGCC and the Ministry of Economy and Finance are signaling a continued emphasis on using credit guarantees as a targeted policy tool to support priority sectors, mobilize private financing, and sustain economic momentum in the years ahead.
