Cambodia is Not Just a Short-Term Business Opportunity
- Andrew Millar
- Jun 13
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 25
TOP 50 INTERVIEW: Soreasmey Ke Bin
March 2025
Soreasmey Ke Bin, Founder and CEO of Confluences, leads a firm dedicated to bridging international business with Cambodia's growth potential. With a decade of experience, Confluences supports market entry, investment and long-term business integration, focusing on collaboration and ability to drive sustainable success.
Leadership Values & Guiding Principles
CLR: Soreasmey, how has your leadership style evolved during your time in Cambodia, and what core principles continue to shape how you lead and build businesses today?
"My approach to leadership is built on two key principles: discovery and initiative. Discovery means being open to new encounters and experiences, both good and bad, as they always provide valuable lessons. Initiative means taking action instead of simply following instructions, getting involved in collective ventures and gradually learning how to build and lead projects.
Cambodia played a key role in shaping my entrepreneurial path. Had I stayed in France, I'm not sure I would have taken this direction.
The opportunities in Cambodia encouraged me to take risks, but the real challenge was learning from both successes and failures. Over time, I turned these experiences into insights that now guide the businesses we support. Every project teaches us something new, and I try to pass this mindset onto our teams.
At Confluences, we encourage our teams to stay open to new opportunities. We never turned down a meeting because every interaction has the potential to lead somewhere valuable.
We also believe in the importance of community involvement, giving time and effort beyond business. The more we contribute, the stronger the ecosystem becomes, and in the long run. those who give are often those who receive the most.
Challenges & Opportunities in Market Expansion
CLR: How do you see Cambodia’s position in the regional business landscape, and what makes it an attractive or challenging destination for foreign companies?
Our leadership team is mostly French-Cambodian, but we work with companies and entrepreneurs from all backgrounds. Cambodia remains the growth inkgdom, a country with steady but often overlooked economic growth.
The workforce is young and increasingly skilled, making it a strong asset for businesses looking to expand. The Cambodian economy is also one of the most open in the region, with local businesses and authorities welcoming new players, both local and foreign, as long as they bring value and help move the economy forward.
The biggest challenge, however, is the market size. Foreign companies often prioritise larger neighbouring economies first. Our role is to show them that Cambodia is an ideal test market - open, flexible and with fewer restrictions - before expanding into the broader Mekong region.
Beyond that, we actively promote Cambodia as a potential platform for trade and investment. The country itself is becoming more capable of playing that role thanks to improvements in infrastructure.
However, attracting business is only part of the equation. Keeping them here is just as important. Authorities must ensure that companies already operating in Cambodia are supported in the long run.
A company that succeeds in Cambodia becomes one of its best ambassadors, attracting more investment and talent.
Confluence's Role in Supporting Business Growth
CLR: Looking back on a decade of building Confluences, how has your mission evolved, and what role do you see the company playing in promoting Cambodia on the global business stage?
When we launched Confluences 10 years ago, we faced many challenges. We entered the market early, and the first years were anything but easy. But those experiences helped us refine our approach, better understand what companies need, and build a service offering that meets real market expectations.
Over time, we became a key player in the Cambodia-France business relationship. This was no accident; it was the result of years of involvement in the French-Cambodia Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCIFC), participation in major economic events and hands-on support for French companies entering the market.
However, our reach has since expanded far beyond France. Today, our client portfolio includes businesses from all over the world; what matters to us is not their origin but their potential to make a real impact in Cambodia, whether through investment, job creation or innovation.
We are now focused on attracting companies with our long-term vision. Cambodia is not just a short-term business opportunity; it is a market where companies can grow and bring lasting value.
That's why we go beyond simple market entry support. We help businesses integrate, navigate challenges and find ways to contribute meaningfully to the local economy.
At the same time, we continue to promote Cambodia internationally. Through participation in economic forums and industry events abroad, we work to strengthen the country's visibility; we believe that more companies should be involved in this effort.
Cambodia needs a stronger presence on the global stage to attract the right investors and partners.
The Future of Business in Cambodia
CLR: As Cambodia’s economy matures, what do you see as the biggest priorities for local businesses, and how is Confluences adapting to stay ahead in this new growth phase?
Cambodia is at a turning point. The country's rapid development means that it can no longer rely as much on international aid and must instead strengthen its private sector. For that to happen, Cambodian businesses and entrepreneurs need to be prepared with the right skills, structure and long-term strategy.
Like many companies in Cambodia, we at Confluences have grown quickly, sometimes too quickly.
That's why we are now focusing on our own transformation: improving internal processes, investing in digitalisation and strengthening our teams. The coming years will be highly competitive, and businesses that want to succeed must be ready to adapt.
Foreign investors bring more than just financial capital. They are also bringing expertise, networks and new business models. However, for Cambodia to fully benefit from these contributions, local companies must be able to integrate and make the most of these resources. That requires identifying strengths and weaknesses and working collectively to improve.
At Confluences, we have learnt from experience, and we are ready to share what we have learnt. The future of Cambodia's economy depends on the combined efforts of local and foreign businesses, and we are committed to playing our part.
By working together we can help speed up Cambodia's development in a way that is both sustainable and impactful."
About Soreasmey Ke Bin
Soreasmey is a prominent Cambodian entrepreneur and international development professional, known for his dynamic contributions to business, innovation and regional cooperation.
With a background in public policy and international relations, he has held leadership roles in both the private and nonprofit sectors, including founding the strategy consultancy, Confluences, and serving as a key figure in Cambodia’s French-Cambodian business community. Fluent in multiple languages and passionate about ASEAN collaboration, Soreasmey is recognised for his cross-cultural insight, his advocacy for sustainable development, and his efforts to bridge international partnerships with local impact.
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In partnership with Cambodia Investment Review (CIR) and the International Business Chamber of Cambodia (IBC), Cambodia Leadership Review has officially launched 50 International Leaders 2025.
Now in its second edition, the publication highlights 50 of the most influential international business and organisational leaders and innovators contributing to Cambodia’s dynamic economic landscape, including Soreasmey Ke Bin.