Private equity firm Cambodia Investor Club (CIC) on Saturday launched a new business program called Beyond Investment Opportunity (BIO), which aims to accelerate investment activity in the Kingdom by educating investors and entrepreneurs.
CIC managing director Lem Chansamrach said BIO will help those with surplus funds to learn how to evaluate business potential before acquiring the shares of a company. On the opposite end, it also seeks to help business owners connect with possible investors.
Chansamrach said there are many investment funds earmarked specifically for Cambodian businesses that should be taken advantage of.
“Local companies need to be qualified and that is why the BIO program was launched, to help participants gain access to funds,” he said.
He said the CIC has carried out investment funding since 2009 and, up to now, has made $4 million available to local firms.
$300 million for SMEs
The program will last for six months and consist of nine training courses. There will be many discussion sessions between participants and successful entrepreneurs in Cambodia.
The fee for the courses is $750 and aims to admit 100 participants. Fifty from the capital are already registered as well as 20 in Siem Reap.
Equity firms have been growing more plentiful in the Kingdom in the past few years. The five largest are currently EMIA, Belt Road Capital Management, Smart Axiata, Leopard Capital and IFC.
Together these major players have earmarked a total of $300 million for small- and medium-sized enterprises.
