Singaporean and Cambodian government and business representatives marked Singapore’s 61st National Day while highlighting stronger bilateral relations, community ties and the recent merger that created a unified Singapore-Cambodian Connection.
Cambodia Investment Review
Singapore’s community in Cambodia celebrated the country’s 61st National Day in Phnom Penh, bringing together government officials, business representatives, expatriates and Cambodian partners for an evening focused on cultural exchange and bilateral cooperation.
The celebration was organised by the Singapore-Cambodian Connection (SCC) at Oakwood Premier Phnom Penh. The programme featured food, music and social activities, while also providing a platform to recognise the longstanding diplomatic, commercial and community connections between Singapore and Cambodia.
The event followed the May 2026 merger of the Singaporean Club Cambodia and the Singapore Business Investment Forum. The combined organisation retained the Singapore-Cambodian Connection name and now operates as a unified platform for Singaporean business, professional and social engagement in Cambodia.
Unified SCC Targets 150 Members
SCC President Albert Tan, who is serving his third term, highlighted the organisation’s growth and its ambition to build a more connected Singaporean community in the Kingdom.
The SCC currently has 87 members, comprising 75 ordinary and family members, four associate members and eight corporate members. It has set a target of expanding its total membership to 150.
The merger is expected to strengthen coordination between Singaporean companies, professionals, families and community members while creating additional opportunities for business networking, social engagement and collaboration with Cambodian stakeholders.
The unified organisation brings together people from different industries, professions and generations, including both long-term residents and Singaporeans who have recently moved to Cambodia.
National Day Celebration Marks New Chapter
Singapore Ambassador to Cambodia Steven Pang Chee Wee described the National Day gathering as particularly significant following the organisational merger earlier in the year.
The consolidation represents a new chapter for Singaporeans living and working in Cambodia, providing the community with a broader and more inclusive network through which members can collaborate and contribute to bilateral relations.
Singaporean businesses, professionals and residents play an active role in Cambodia through investment, employment, commercial partnerships, professional exchanges and community programmes.
Their daily engagement with Cambodian colleagues, customers and institutions supports the wider relationship between the two countries beyond formal government-to-government diplomacy.
Cambodia and Singapore Highlight Historic Ties
Senior Minister Ly Thuch, First Vice-President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority and Chairman of Cambodia’s National Committee for ESCAP, also addressed the gathering.
He highlighted Singapore’s transformation since independence and the longstanding friendship between the two countries. Singapore’s development demonstrated how a geographically small country could overcome major limitations through effective governance, discipline and long-term planning.
Cambodia was among the first countries to recognise Singapore after it became independent in 1965. Singapore’s founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, later made a historic visit to Phnom Penh in 1967, when the Cambodian capital was widely known as the “Pearl of Asia”.
Although the two countries experienced significantly different development paths in the following decades, bilateral cooperation strengthened as Cambodia began rebuilding during the 1990s.
Singaporean Partners Contribute to Cambodia
Singaporean businesses and organisations have since made important contributions to Cambodia through investment, workforce development, institutional training and community initiatives.
Cooperation between the two countries has also extended to mine action and humanitarian clearance. Singaporean partners have supported Cambodian officials and participated in international discussions connected to the country’s mine-clearance efforts.
Both countries also share an interest in rules-based international relations and resolving disputes through established legal mechanisms.
The 61st National Day celebration concluded with food, music and social activities, giving Singaporean and Cambodian guests an opportunity to build connections while recognising the growing relationship between the two countries.
