AKP Phnom Penh, August 22, 2025 --

The Association of Banks in Cambodia (ABC), with the support from the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and the ASEAN Bankers Association (ABA), hosted its 4th Cambodia Banking Conference on Aug. 19–20, 2025 at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel, themed “Unlocking Inclusive Growth: Digital Innovation and Sustainability.”

The Conference was presided over by H.E. Kith Sovannarith, NBC Director General of Banking Supervision, Mr. Paul Gwee Choon Guan, ABA Secretary General; Mr. Rath Sophoan, ABC Chairman, Mr Raymond Sia, ABC Vice chairman, and Mr. Sharad Jain, Country Manager of Mastercard for Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

This year’s conference convened more than 800 leaders, with 500 participating in person and 300 joining online. 

The participants included representatives from ASEAN Member States, telecommunications operators, financial institutions, government agencies, and policymakers. Distinguished experts from the government, financial institutions, World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Labour Organisation (ILO), and Women’s World Banking contributed their insights in key trends shaping the future of the banking sector.

NBC’s Director General of Banking Supervision, H.E. Kith Sovannarith, said unlocking inclusive and sustainable growth requires more than strategies, policies, and technologies; it demands active collaboration across government, private sector, civil societies, and international partners. 

He added that the Pentagonal Strategy provides us with a national roadmap, NBC provides the industry roadmaps and supportive regulations, and to some extent platforms for financial innovation; while partnerships with the private sector translate these strategies into lasting changes for our people.

Addressing the participants, ABC Chairman, Mr. Rath Sophoan stated that the financial system today is complicated and always changing: financial technology (Fintech), digital currencies, decentralised finance, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) banking. 

“This year’s conference highlights how Cambodia’s banking industry can leverage technology and sustainable finance to drive inclusive economic growth,” he said.

Mr. Paul Gwee Choon Guan, Secretary General of the ASEAN Bankers Association (ABA), said in his keynote address that "ASEAN is navigating a period of rapid transformation. Technology is reshaping the way we serve our customers, sustainability is redefining the way we measure progress, and inclusion is reminding us that growth must benefit everyone."

“ASEAN Bankers Association remains committed to working with our Association’s members to promote cross-border collaborations, share best practices, and develop innovative solutions that address both local challenges and regional opportunities,” he added.

The two-day conference aligned with National Financial Inclusion Strategies (NFIS) 2019/25, digital economy, and sustainable growth. It served as a collaborative platform for policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to address key topics and build connections in the financial sector. 

As highlighted by NBC’s Director General of Banking Supervision, H.E. Kith Sovannarith said, “together, we must first expand digital infrastructure, financial literacy, and consumer protection, so that every Cambodian can access finance equitably. Second, mobilising green finance to further accelerate sustainable development, and third, build trust and transparency in financial services, ensuring that innovation is safe, responsible, and inclusive.”

By Chea Vannak