UK-Cambodia Joint Trade & Investment Forum: Strengthening Legal Frameworks for Sustainable Growth
KPMG in Cambodia, in collaboration with BritCham and the British Embassy in Cambodia, hosted Part One of the UK-Cambodia Joint Trade & Investment Forum. The discussion centered on how legal and regulatory advancements can support Cambodia’s Vision 2050 and accelerate economic modernization.
Legal Reforms: A Key Enabler for Investment
Cambodia’s economy is becoming increasingly dynamic and interconnected, with improved infrastructure, expanding trade partnerships, and a growing presence of international firms. However, as Richard Stapley-Oh, Partner - Head of KPMG Law in Vietnam, highlighted during the forum, streamlining business regulations and enhancing legal certainty will be essential to attracting long-term investments.
Business Registration & Compliance – Cambodia has made strides in digitalization, but further simplification of licensing and registration processes will lower operational costs and improve efficiency.
Contract Enforcement & Dispute Resolution – Cambodia currently ranks 182 out of 190 globally in contract enforcement, with disputes taking an average of 483 days to resolve—twice the time compared to Vietnam. Specialized commercial courts are a crucial reform to improve legal certainty and investor confidence.
Intellectual Property (IP) Protections – As Stapley-Oh pointed out, UK investors in technology, pharmaceuticals, and financial services require stronger IP protections. Strengthening enforcement mechanisms will make Cambodia a more attractive destination for high-value industries.
How the UK Can Support Cambodia’s Legal Modernization
The UK’s legal expertise presents an opportunity to support Cambodia’s legal reforms, particularly in:
Developing Commercial Courts – Establishing specialized business courts to expedite dispute resolution.
Capacity Building for Legal Professionals – Partnering with UK institutions to enhance judicial expertise and regulatory enforcement.
Strengthening IP Protection – Aligning Cambodia’s IP framework with international standards to safeguard innovation.
Accelerating Digital Legal Solutions – Leveraging legal tech and AI-driven compliance tools to streamline business processes.
Legal Certainty: A Cornerstone for Cambodia’s Growth
As Richard Stapley-Oh emphasized, a well-defined legal framework is not just a regulatory necessity—it is a competitive advantage. By collaborating with international partners like the UK, Cambodia is positioning itself as a high-potential market for global investors.
