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Tag: Cambodia

  • Mobile World sets sights on significant 2021 improvements

    Mobile World sets sights on significant 2021 improvements

    The Mobile World Investment Joint Stock Co. targets VND125 trillion ($5.4 billion) in net revenues and VND4,750 billion ($206.6 million) in after-tax profits this year. The targets are respectively 15 and 21 percent higher than the company’s 2020 figures.

    The company has said in a statement that while the market still carries risks amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, it is determined to return to double-digit growth. This is the tenth consecutive year that it has set growth goals with increased revenue and profit targets.

    The firm plans to establish the Dien May Xanh Supermini chain with more than 1,000 stores by the end of this year. Their Bach Hoa Xanh chain that sells vegetables, seafood, meat and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) will be expanded with large stores with areas of more than 500 square meters in major metropolises.The company’s backbone business is retailing of smartphones and electronics, and this is expected to contribute around 75 percent of sales, with the rest coming from food and consumer goods.

    Mobile World will also focus on online sales, develop its Bluetronics chain in Cambodia, its high-tech agricultural project named 4KFarm and pharmacy chain An Khang.

    Last year, Mobile World earned VND108,546 billion ($4.72 million), up 6.2 percent year on year. Its after-tax profit was VND3,920 billion ($170.5 million).

    Mobile World has over 4,000 outlets in Vietnam and 37 in Cambodia. It opened nearly three new outlets a day on average last year. The company plans to become the top retailer in Southeast Asia by 2030.

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  • Papa John’s launches in Cambodia

    Papa John’s launches in Cambodia

    US pizza chain Papa John’s is launching in Cambodia with 15 restaurants scheduled to open during the next three years. The company opened its flagship store in Phnom Penh last month.

    “Papa John’s Cambodia team is truly passionate about pizza,” said Peter Xu, Papa John’s Cambodia franchisee.

    “With our ‘Better ingredients – Better pizza’ promise, we look forward to providing local pizza lovers with quality products and outstanding services.”

    Xu also owns a Papa John’s franchise in New York and other business ventures in Cambodia.

    Jack Swaysland, Papa John’s COO, international, said that following a record year of sales and growth, Papa John’s is well-positioned to accelerate international development, a key pillar for the brand’s long-term growth.

    Papa John’s has restaurants in 48 countries, with the latest new openings in France, Spain, Tunisia, Iraq, the Netherlands, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, the Bahamas, Pakistan, and Portugal. The company is eyeing expansion in Brazil, Japan, and Southeast Asia.

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  • Foodpanda to drive Covid-19 vaccination awareness campaign across Asia

    Foodpanda to drive Covid-19 vaccination awareness campaign across Asia

    Food and grocery delivery service Foodpanda has launched a Covid-19 vaccination awareness campaign across Asia in the lead-up to WHO’s World Immunisation Week. The campaign, which aims to reach more than 10 million people across Asia, will include a series of content across digital and social media channels, providing information and resources on local vaccination programs.

    It will be rolled out in phases across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Japan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

    “The region’s battle with Covid-19 is ongoing, and we have to stay vigilant on keeping our ecosystem safe,” said Jakob Angele, CEO of Foodpanda. “Leveraging existing channels with our network of riders, merchants, employees and customers, we can raise greater awareness around fighting misinformation and share information around local vaccination programs so that our entire delivery ecosystem can be informed and mobilized.”

    Besides its social media campaign, Foodpanda will also join hands with local authorities to support vaccination programs in Singapore, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

    “We will continuously explore ways to play a part in the fight against Covid-19.”

  • Maserati Grows Presence In APAC and Enters Cambodia

    Maserati Grows Presence In APAC and Enters Cambodia

    Maserati has announced the opening of a new market in Asia Pacific as the brand enters Cambodia. Maserati is represented in Cambodia by HGB Group. The showroom is situated in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh. The facility includes a showroom of 610 sqm displaying the Maserati product line-up and a workshop of 1.760 sqm equipped with 3 work bays.

    Bernard Loire, Chief Commercial Officer Maserati, said, “Selecting the right partner and having great products are the foundations for success across the region. Maserati is entering in a period of intense changes with revolutionary new cars, innovations, and projects. Now for us, the focus is strongly on the future, including hybrid and electric models.”

    Maserati’s complete range will now be available in Cambodia in addition to more than seventy markets internationally. The company already has partners in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia in the South Asian market.

    Cambodia is a very promising market for Maserati as the luxury car market is estimated to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 14 percent from 2017 to 2020.

  • US chain The Habit Burger Grill launches in Cambodia

    US chain The Habit Burger Grill launches in Cambodia

    Over 50 years ago, America’s best tasting burger was born in Santa Barbara, California, and now the award-winning taste of The Habt Burger Grill will be opening its newest international location in Cambodia on October 21st! The California-based restaurant company renowned for its award-winning Charburgers grilled over an open flame, signature sandwiches, fresh-cut salads, and more announces the highly anticipated opening in the center of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, at the Tela Toul Kork Station.

    The Habit Burger Grill is California’s best-kept secret, as it’s been awarded various food-focused awards in the United States. At the center of The Habit’s menu is the signature Charburger, made with a fresh 100% ground beef patty, chargrilled over an open flame for a unique smoky flavor, and topped with cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, fresh tomato slices, crisp lettuce, and mayo served on a toasted bun. The Habit has been serving the best tasting burger in America in exactly this way since 1969.

    “We are excited to continue The Habit Burger Grill’s international expansion by joining forces with our new franchise partner Kampuchea Tela Company, LTD to open our first location in Cambodia. We look forward to creating new Habit fans by inviting them to enjoy our handcrafted chargrilled food delivered with best-in-class hospitality and in a welcoming Southern California environment,” said Iwona Alter, Chief Brand Officer at The Habit Burger Grill.

    This marks as The Habit’s second international expansion with eight restaurants open in China today. This is just the beginning, The Habit is partnering with Kampuchea Tela Company, LTD to develop and operate restaurants throughout the Kingdom of Cambodia.

    In anticipation of The Habit’s grand opening, local guests are invited for an exclusive sneak peek of the menu. The first 200 guests per event on October 16 and 17th between 11:30a.m. – 1:30p.m. and 5 p.m. – 7p.m will receive a complimentary Charburger, French fries, and drink. Upon opening, this two-story location will offer dine-in and takeout.

    With its cooked-to-order mantra and creative culinary culture, The Habit Burger Grill’s open flame sears a distinctive smoky flavor into their already famous Charburgers, fresh marinated chicken, sushi-grade Ahi tuna, and USDA Choice tri-tip steaks. The Habit also has an incredible selection of sides to choose from as well as delicious hand-spun frozen treats. Guests at The Habit Burger Grill can always count on freshly-made, the handcrafted quality served up with genuine hospitality.

  • 7-Eleven warns of bogus ‘franchisor’ in Cambodia

    7-Eleven warns of bogus ‘franchisor’ in Cambodia

    Convenience-store chain 7-Eleven has warned of a bogus ‘franchisor’ in Cambodia. The company said it received reports that there is an unauthorized party representing itself as 7-Eleven’s master franchisee in the country and attempting to sell outlets.

    The reports promoted the company to issue an announcement confirming that Thailand’s CP All is the sole master franchisee in the market, having the exclusive right to open and operate 7-Eleven stores there.

    Last May, Thailand’s CP Group signed a master franchise agreement to operate the chain in Cambodia. The first store is scheduled to launch in Phnom Penh next year.

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  • Thailand’s CP wins 7-Eleven rights to operate in Cambodia

    Thailand’s CP wins 7-Eleven rights to operate in Cambodia

    Thailand’s CP Group will launch 7 Eleven Cambodia next year after winning the franchise rights for the country.

    CP Group, which operates 7-Eleven in Thailand, will run the business via its local subsidiary. The first outlet is expected to open in Phnom Penh.

    According to reporting in Nikkei, CP will be responsible for all business strategy and distribution activities of 7-Eleven Cambodia, and will bear the right to use the brand logo and signage.

    The operation will also include grocery sales along with some banking and delivery services.

    With 12,000 outlets, Thailand is the second-largest market for 7-Eleven after Japan.

    Founded in 1927 in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven is now owned by Japanese retail group Seven & I Holdings.

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  • Cambodia Readies Digital Currency

    Cambodia Readies Digital Currency

    Cambodia is set to roll out Project Bakong, the country’s blockchain-based payment network that features a central bank digital currency (CBDC) payment system.

    The platform, trialed in July 2019 and set to go live this quarter, already has the backing of 11 banks, with others to join soon, Serey Chea, National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) assistant governor and director-general of central banking said.

    NBC will maintain centralized control of the proposed CBDC with a closed system that will include participants like banks and other financial institutions in the country, the report said.

    Serey called the currency the national payment gateway for Cambodia. Bakong will play a central role in bringing all players in the payment space in Cambodia under the same platform, making it easy for end-users to pay each other regardless of the institutions they bank with.

    Cambodia’s launch of the CBDC comes amid the launch of other state-backed digital currency projects, as central banks come under pressure from private digital currency projects like Facebook’s Libra.

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  • Philippines’ Cebu Pacific stops flights to Siem Reap

    Philippines’ Cebu Pacific stops flights to Siem Reap

    Budget carrier Cebu Pacific has stopped its flights to and from Siem Reap, leaving only one Philippine carrier servicing the Cambodia-Philippines air route.

    Difficulties in turning out a profit was the main reason for Cebu Pacific’s departure from the Kingdom, according to Philippine media reports last week. Cebu Pacific ended its Siem Reap flights yesterday.

    Cebu Pacific spokesperson Charo Logarta-Lagamon was quoted as saying by Philippine Star that “route viability became a concern” for its Siem Reap service.

    The reports confirmed rumors that have been circulating as far as back last year that the Gokongwei-owned airline was contemplating such a move.

    The difficulties faced by Cebu Pacific were also a topic of discussion among Filipinos who attended the 3rd Cambodia Travel Mart.

    Then last week, Dirk Salcedo, an aviation blogger based out of the Philippines, reported that closure of the route was imminent, citing its online booking platform and data from FlightRadar24.com that show no Cebu Pacific flights beyond Dec 7.

    The news saddened many Filipinos in Cambodia. The Kingdom is host to more than 6,000 Filipino nationals.

    Cebu Pacific started flying to Siem Reap in 2012 amidst a growing number of Filipinos visiting Angkor Wat, the Kingdom’s leading tourist destination.

    The thousands of Filipinos working and residing in Cambodia also factored in Cebu Pacific’s decision to establish a direct flight to Siem Reap, becoming the first such carrier from the Philippines to do so.

    Since then, the airline has been flying three times a week from Manila to Siem Reap and vice versa using an Airbus A-320 aircraft.

    Cebu Pacific’s decision to close the Siem Reap route means that Philippine Airlines (PAL) will be the sole Philippine carrier with direct flight to Cambodia.  PAL re-opened the Phnom Penh-Manila air route last year and now flies five times a week to Cambodia.

    A few other Philippine carriers like Royal Air Philippines operate charter flights servicing the Cambodia route.

    The Siem Reap service was not the sole casualty of Cebu Pacific’s decision to focus on more profitable air routes. The budget airline also ended its flights to Guam, a United States territory in the Western Pacific.

  • Uniqlo to quadruple SE Asia retail store network

    Uniqlo to quadruple SE Asia retail store network

    Japanese casual wear retailer Uniqlo plans a four-fold increase in its Southeast Asian store count during the next decade.

    Tadashi Yanai, chairman, and CEO of the firm’s parent company Fast Retailing said in an interview with Nikkei that Uniqlo is seeking a much faster rate of expansion than it took to build its 800-strong network of stores in greater China.

    “Asia, from China to India with 4 billion people, is the world’s only region that is showing steady growth,” said Yanai.

    He said that for the time being, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar are not being considered as potential markets for the brand because there are too many opportunities outside those countries.

    Next month the Japanese retailer will open its first store in Vietnam. Located in Ho Chi Minh City, the store will be its largest in Southeast Asia and located across the road from Zara’s two-year-old Vietnam flagship and a rival H&M’s store.

    Uniqlo operates around 2200 outlets internationally.

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  • Laos, Cambodia imports can threaten Vietnam auto industry

    Laos, Cambodia imports can threaten Vietnam auto industry

    Even weaker economies with less developed industries can threaten Vietnam’s auto industry due to its low localization rate, the Trade Ministry said.

    While the domestic auto industry is already facing fierce competition from car imports, mostly from Thailand and Indonesia, other ASEAN economies are emerging threats, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said in a recent report to the National Assembly.

    From January to September, sales of imported cars rose 150 percent year-on-year to nearly 93,600, while that of locally-assembled vehicles dropped 13 percent to 136,800 units, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA).

    “Auto imports will continue to rise because of surging domestic demand, severely affecting domestic auto manufacturing and our trade balance,” the ministry reported.

    As Vietnam has scrapped imports tariffs on cars made in ASEAN countries with a localization rate of at least 40 percent since last year, the domestic market will have to deal with additional competition from Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

    Vietnam’s car businesses have only participated in low-value segment of the supply chain and has not mastered core technology in producing engines and transmission systems, it noted further.

    The lack of material suppliers and large-scale parts producers leads to higher prices compared to imported cars, the ministry added.

    Cars with nine seaters or under have a localization rate of only 7-10 percent, compared to a 60 percent target that had been set for 2010. In ASEAN countries, the rate is around 65-70 percent, and in Thailand it is 80 percent.

    “Without a solution to increase localization rate, domestic manufacturers will face challenges in competing with the region.”

    Policies related to the auto industry are slow in coming, compared to other countries in the region, and Vietnam loses opportunities to attract investment as a result. The policies are also not stable and synchronized, therefore the industry is yet to make a breakthrough, it said.

    With rising competition from ASEAN and the E.U. because of trade pacts that Vietnam has signed, the ministry is considering scrapping special consumption tax on auto parts produced locally for 5-10 years.

    It also suggested tax incentives for electric cars, for both manufacturers and buyers.

    There are about 40 auto businesses in the country with the capacity of assembling and producing 680,000 vehicles a year. Production of 9-seater or under cars is growing by 20-30 percent annually.

    The trade ministry forecasts that Vietnam will surpass the Philippines in manufacturing and sales figures next year.

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  • Big C opens first store in Cambodia

    Big C opens first store in Cambodia

    Supermarket chain Big C has opened its first store in Cambodia.

    The firm has opened on a more-than 2ha site in Poipet, a booming town on the Thai/Cambodian border, with a reported investment of US$6.8 million and offering more than 1200 jobs.

    A statement on the firm’s Facebook page reported by the Khmer Times read: “A soft opening for the Poipet Hypermarket was held under our vision to be the leading Thai retailer with customers at heart.”

    Cambodia is now the fourth country Big C operates in, following Thailand, Vietnam and Laos.

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  • Ethan Allen opens in Taiwan, Cambodia

    Ethan Allen opens in Taiwan, Cambodia

    US interior-design house Ethan Allen has opened new outlets in Taipei and Cambodia as it seeks to expand its international footprint as well as its domestic network.

    Ethan Allen Interiors is an interior-design company which manufactures and retails quality home furnishings through a network of 300 stores worldwide and online.

    Besides the Taiwan and Cambodian outlets, Ethen Allen has recently opened a store in Azerbaijan and four more in the US.

    During the 2020 fiscal year the company says it will open multiple new US outlets and expand further abroad, without revealing the specific markets.

    “The repositioning of our retail network is done with two primary goals: to expand our reach to more customers, giving them the opportunity to collaborate with our interior designers; and to highlight our quality, craftsmanship and incredible diversity of style, the pillars that define Ethan Allen,” said chairman and CEO Farooq Kathwari.

    In addition to its vertically integrated furniture-manufacturing and logistics operation – Ethan Allen currently makes 75 per cent of its products in its North American workshops – the company has a team of more than 1500 interior-design professionals.

    In line with its “classic design, modern perspective” ethos, the company has refreshed 70 per cent of its product line over the past three years.

  • Habit Burger Opening in Cambodia

    Habit Burger Opening in Cambodia

    The Habit Restaurants is set to expand its Habit Burger Grill franchise throughout Cambodia in partnership with Amory F&B in a 25-store development agreement.

    The first outlet is expected to open in Phnom Penh in spring next year.

    “We quickly developed a passion for The Habit Burger business when we saw how much focus there is on great customer service,” said Kampuchea Tela Company CEO Okhna Chhun On. “This is something we strongly believe in, and we are excited to bring the Habit experience and great food to the people of Cambodia.”

    “The Habit’s excellent brand, best-in-class systems, and experience will help us to go the extra distance to become national leaders in the burger segment,” said Amory F&B Company CEO Chhun Sophearoth. “As an organization, we keep developing and investing in our people, much like The Habit Burger, and this will be an important part of our success.”

    “We are thrilled to continue to expand our brand internationally and to see Amory F&B Company bring our unique style of hand-crafted-to-order food, chargrilled burgers and high-quality customer service to the people of Cambodia,” said The Habit Restaurants president and CEO Russ Bendel.

    “Amory is comprised of a team of experienced, committed operators who share our dedication to customer satisfaction and enthusiasm for The Habit brand.”

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  • Thai AirAsia to fly to Sihanoukville from July

    Thai AirAsia to fly to Sihanoukville from July

    Low-cost carrier Thai AirAsia, a subsidiary of Malaysia-based AirAsia, will launch a direct flight from Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport to Cambodia’s Sihanoukville in July. The coastal town will become Thai AirAsia’s third destination in Cambodia after Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

    “The new route is expected to serve the millions of foreign travellers who use Thailand as a hub, while for Thai travellers, Sihanoukville offers an affordable beach and cultural getaway,” Thai AirAsia CEO Santisuk Klongchaiya was quoted as saying in the Bangkok Post on Monday

    Norinda Khek, communications and public relations director at Cambodia Airports, confirmed the new flight, and said it demonstrates the efficiency of Cambodia Airports’ route development strategy, which aims to attract airlines by providing them marketing support, among other services.

    Taing Sochet Krisna, director of Preah Sihanouk province’s tourism department, said that the presence of one more airline in Sihanoukville International Airport will help increase the number of tourists to the province.

    He said China tops the list of visitors to the province by nationality, followed by neighboring countries like Malaysia and Vietnam.

    According to data from Cambodia Airports, last year air passenger traffic to the province increased by more than 92 percent, totalling 650,000 visitors.

    According to Mr Norinda, Sihanoukville International Airport has five domestic airlines – Cambodia Angkor Air, Cambodia Airways, Lanmei Airlines, JC Cambodia Airlines, and Sky Angkor Airlines – and four international ones – AirAsia, Ruili Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, and Hainan Airlines.

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