James Roberts

Steering Cambodia’s Economic Future Through Finance and Foresight

James Roberts, Partner & Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Cambodia

When James Roberts speaks about Cambodia’s economy, he does so with the dual perspective of a seasoned global expert and a long-time resident of the Kingdom. “The Cambodian economy has performed very well in comparison with the large developed economies in North America and Europe, and even in comparison with the larger ASEAN economies such as Singapore,” Roberts observed, noting that during the pandemic Cambodia saw only a modest 6% dip in GDP while bigger economies suffered double-digit contractions.

Such insights are characteristic of Roberts, who has spent over 15 years advising businesses in Cambodia and now stands as a leading voice in the country’s financial and economic landscape.

Roberts’s journey to becoming a thought leader in Cambodia’s business community began in the United Kingdom. A Chartered Accountant by training, he built his early career in audit and consulting. In the mid-2000s, opportunity knocked in Southeast Asia. “James is a Chartered Accountant from the UK, with more than 15 years advising investors in Cambodia,” notes his official KPMG profile

He first arrived in Cambodia when the country’s market was just opening up to international investment, and he has been part of its growth story ever since. In his early years in Phnom Penh, Roberts applied his broad experience across audit, tax, and advisory services. He co-founded or joined Premier Consulting, a local advisory firm, where he honed his expertise in mergers and acquisitions and business strategy. That venture proved prescient: in 2015, KPMG acquired Premier Consulting, bringing Roberts into the global “Big Four” firm’s fold.

Since then, Roberts has served as Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Cambodia, leveraging his experience to counsel both multinational investors and local enterprises. His background spans multiple continents – he’s advised senior professionals across the US, Europe, and Asia – giving him a panoramic view of how Cambodia fits into the world economy.

Colleagues say that Roberts’ international perspective is matched by a deep local insight. He has embedded himself in Cambodia’s business community, serving as a board member of the British Chamber of Commerce (BritCham) and as a former treasurer of the International Business Chamber (IBC). It’s not just titles on a resume – through these roles, Roberts has actively participated in policy discussions and investor forums that shape Cambodia’s business environment. In 2025, he was even named among the “50 International Voices for 2025” by the Cambodia Leadership Review, recognizing his influence in driving the Kingdom’s growth.

Leading KPMG and Shaping Advisory Services

At KPMG Cambodia’s Phnom Penh office – now a bustling workplace of nearly 400 professionals – James Roberts leads the Advisory Services division with a focus on deal advisory, strategy, and transformation.

Under his leadership, KPMG’s advisory practice has expanded to meet the needs of a fast-evolving market. Roberts works extensively with new entrants to Cambodia, helping foreign investors navigate the startup phase of their businesses, and with established companies seeking strategic partners for expansion or exit.

His role often places him at the nexus of major business decisions in the country. Whether it’s a merger of local companies, the entry of a multinational via acquisition, or a family business looking to modernize, Roberts has likely had a hand in advising the deal. This vantage point has given him a unique read on the market’s pulse. “There is strong upside growth available in a variety of sectors,” he tells investors, “but my firm belief is that agriculture presents the best overall investment thesis of any sector currently”.

Demographics and fundamentals drive that view – Cambodia’s young population and growing incomes promise rising demand, making sectors like agriculture and consumer goods particularly attractive in Roberts’ analysis. His day-to-day work involves more than boardroom negotiations. Roberts is often found sharing knowledge at industry events and workshops. In one KPMG-hosted seminar on business transformation, he walked participants through how mergers and acquisitions can help Cambodian companies “future-proof” themselves and integrate into the global market.

And in June 2022, he co-led a workshop on enterprise resource planning (ERP) and digital transformation, highlighting trends and challenges in modernizing Cambodian enterprises

Those who attended recall Roberts stressing that adopting technology is no longer optional for businesses that aspire to regional competitiveness – a theme he would echo consistently in the years to follow.

Economic Growth: Optimism with a Note of Caution

Roberts’s tenure in Cambodia has coincided with an era of remarkable growth. He often recounts how, in the two decades before COVID-19, Cambodia averaged around 7% annual GDP growth – one of the fastest in the world

Even the pandemic’s impact, he points out, was managed better here than elsewhere. “Cambodia has been the beneficiary of a sustained period of high single digit economic growth… over the past 20 years,” Roberts says, crediting this performance to sound macroeconomic policies and political stability

It’s this track record that underpins his characterization of Cambodia’s economy as “robust”. Yet, ever the clear-eyed analyst, Roberts tempers optimism with realism. The very success of the past creates a new kind of vulnerability. “High growth has facilitated the development of many new and successful industries,” he notes. “However, it has also created an environment where the government has limited experience of managing economic shocks”.

In other words, a generation of expansion means Cambodia’s policymakers haven’t had to navigate a major downturn – a learning curve that was tested when the pandemic struck. Roberts has urged vigilance as the economy moves forward, advising businesses and officials alike not to become complacent. In interviews, Roberts often speaks about resilience and diversification. He has highlighted how certain well-managed Cambodian manufacturers survived the pandemic by swiftly shifting product lines – for instance, garment factories pivoting to produce in-demand personal protective equipment.

This ability to adapt, in Roberts’s view, exemplifies the grit of Cambodia’s private sector. At the same time, he acknowledges challenges in the post-pandemic recovery: tourism, a pillar of the economy, faces a longer road to rebound, and external risks – from global inflation to geopolitical tensions – could still buffet Cambodia’s open, trade-driven economy. “Our message is: do your due diligence and understand the market for every investment,” Roberts told investors in late 2021.

The upside in Cambodia remains strong, he argues, but savvy investors must navigate the risks. His practical advice and confidence in Cambodia’s fundamentals have made Roberts a sought-after commentator on the economy, whether he’s briefing a delegation of foreign businesses or speaking to local media about the latest growth forecasts.

Championing Tax Transparency & Policy Reform

One area where James Roberts’s influence is distinctly felt is tax policy. As an advisor, he has guided numerous companies through Cambodia’s evolving tax framework, and he frequently engages with policymakers on creating a fair, investor-friendly tax environment. Recently, the government has introduced a Special Tax Audit Unit (STAU) to handle large international taxpayers – a move Roberts publicly applauded. “The law introduces a separate audit process for international companies that meet compliance standards, ensuring they are treated with utmost transparency and fairness,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of the new body.

Roberts’s emphasis on transparency aligns with a broader shift in Cambodia’s approach to taxation. He notes that tax compliance and clear rules are not just bureaucratic matters but key factors in attracting foreign investment. In forums like the UK-Cambodia Trade & Investment Forum, he has stressed that investors are far more confident when they see a consistent application of tax laws and an efficient system that rewards compliance. Behind the scenes, colleagues say Roberts often serves as a bridge between the private sector and regulators. His tenure as IBC treasurer put him in direct dialogue with tax officials, where he advocated for modernizing tax administration and simplifying procedures. Those efforts complement international developments – such as the OECD’s global tax reforms – which Roberts monitors closely to advise clients on future changes. The introduction of risk-based tax audits, he suggests, is a “positive development” that will encourage better corporate behavior while weeding out bad actors.

In Cambodia’s push to strengthen its investment climate, Roberts’ voice is one urging balance: offer competitive incentives, but also build a tax system that is fair and trusted. It’s a message he believes will help the country as it aims for its ambitious Vision 2050 economic goals, moving from lower-middle income toward upper-middle income status.

Infrastructure and Investment: Building for Long-Term Growth

No discussion with James Roberts about Cambodia’s future goes far without touching on infrastructure. In panels ranging from business chambers to energy summits, Roberts underscores that improving the nation’s infrastructure is critical for sustaining economic growth. At the Cambodia Clean Energy Summit in 2024, where he served as a panellist, Roberts highlighted both progress and pain points in this arena. He praised moves toward “transparent governance and robust regulations” in the energy sector, but noted “the significant challenges of improving infrastructure and establishing strong regional partnerships” for Cambodia’s power and transportation needs.

Infrastructure development, in Roberts’s eyes, is the foundation for attracting and retaining investment. Better roads, ports, and logistics networks lower the cost of doing business; a more reliable electricity grid powers new industries. He often points out that sectors like manufacturing and tourism – two engines of Cambodia’s growth – depend on continued improvements in infrastructure. For example, increased airport capacity and connectivity will be vital if Cambodia is to regain its tourism momentum, and upgraded highways and logistics centers will help manufacturers export efficiently to markets worldwide. Roberts also observes that infrastructure is an area ripe for foreign investment itself. Cambodia has welcomed projects funded by China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Japan’s development agencies, and public-private partnerships, from new bridges to special economic zones. The key, Roberts argues, is ensuring these projects align with national needs and are implemented transparently. Given the region’s competition for capital, he sees Cambodia’s recent focus on infrastructure reforms as a positive signal. As a World Bank report noted, “to maintain long-term growth, the country must prioritize financial and infrastructure sector reforms”, a sentiment Roberts echoes in strategy sessions with clients considering infrastructure ventures. His strategic outlook extends to what he calls “strong regional partnerships.” Roberts believes Cambodia’s economic future is intertwined with that of its ASEAN neighbors. Improved cross-border infrastructure – be it highways into Thailand, rail links to Vietnam, or energy-sharing agreements – can greatly amplify Cambodia’s growth. In his Clean Energy Summit remarks, he cited regional power grid connectivity as a win-win solution: Cambodia could export surplus renewable energy or import when needed, but this requires trust and investment among.

It’s this kind of big-picture thinking, grounded in practical challenges, that characterizes Roberts’s contributions to discussions on infrastructure and development.

Embracing Digital Transformation and Modernization

While bricks-and-mortar infrastructure is crucial, Roberts is equally passionate about the less tangible infrastructure of the digital economy. Cambodia’s young population is rapidly coming online, and its businesses are beginning to digitize – trends Roberts sees as pivotal for the next stage of growth. As head of Advisory at KPMG, he has championed digital transformation projects, helping companies upgrade everything from their accounting systems to customer engagement platforms. “The priority of leaders looking to future-proof their businesses is still digital transformation,” notes one KPMG report, reflecting a view Roberts often reinforces to clients.

Roberts has been at the forefront of advising on modern enterprise software adoption in Cambodia. In the 2022 workshop on ERP systems, he and his team provided a “high-level overview of the ERP digital transformation journey, trends, [and] challenges” specific to Cambodia.

He pointed out that many Cambodian firms, including family-run enterprises, are now investing in cloud-based systems to manage their finances, supply chains, and human resources. The challenges are significant – from training staff to updating legacy processes – but Roberts argues the payoff is worth it. By streamlining operations through technology, businesses can become more efficient and resilient, a message that resonates as companies recall the disruptions of the pandemic. Beyond internal systems, Roberts frequently speaks about the broader digital economy. He has lauded government efforts like the introduction of a national payment gateway and fintech regulations, which have spurred a boom in digital payments and startups. However, he also warns that Cambodia must not fall behind in digital infrastructure: investments in internet connectivity, data centers, and cybersecurity are just as important as roads and bridges. In various panel discussions, he has advocated for public-private collaboration to boost digital literacy and innovation. After all, as he notes, Cambodia’s neighbors are racing ahead with Industry 4.0 initiatives – from Vietnam’s coding schools to Thailand’s automation in manufacturing – and Cambodia will need to keep pace to remain competitive.

Internally at KPMG, colleagues say Roberts practices what he preaches. He has pushed the advisory practice to adopt advanced data analytics and to train a new generation of Cambodian consultants in cutting-edge tools. This not only improves KPMG’s service to clients but also contributes to the broader goal of skills development in the country. Roberts often quotes a favorite mantra to young professionals: “Stay curious and keep learning – the economy here is changing fast.” In a country where two-thirds of the population is under 30, that mindset of continuous modernization is one Roberts believes can unlock enormous potential.

A Vision for Cambodia’s Future

Speaking with James Roberts, one is struck by the balance he maintains – between optimism and caution, growth and governance, local insight and global perspective. He has become, in many ways, an ambassador for Cambodia’s business potential. Whether he’s addressing a room of foreign investors or mentoring Cambodian entrepreneurs, Roberts exudes confidence in the country’s trajectory while never downplaying the work needed to get there. “Cambodia is one of the youngest countries in Asia, and that’s a huge asset,” he said at a recent business forum, pointing to the demographic advantage that could drive the next 20 years of growth. But in the same breath, he’ll remind the audience about education, infrastructure, and institutions – the supporting pieces of the puzzle that must evolve.

As Cambodia navigates the complexities of post-pandemic recovery, global economic headwinds, and its own graduation from least-developed country status, thought leaders like James Roberts play a crucial role. They translate the technicalities of finance, tax law, and market trends into actionable insights for decision-makers. They also serve as storytellers, framing Cambodia’s narrative in a way that both honors its progress and candidly addresses its challenges. Roberts does this with a characteristically analytical mind, often peppering his commentary with data points and comparative examples from abroad. Yet, he also speaks with the conviction of someone who has made Cambodia his home and is invested in its success. In the end,

Roberts’s influence can be seen in both policy circles and boardrooms: in a new tax audit policy that treats investors more fairly, in a factory that found a buyer thanks to a deal he brokered, or in a young CEO who decided to implement an ERP system after attending one of his talks. These are the incremental changes that, collectively, help shape a nation’s economic destiny. And as an interview with James Roberts makes clear, he’s enthusiastically committed to seeing Cambodia realize the promise of its future – one advisory insight at a time.