Companies from Europe’s frigid north are taking steps toward moving into the fish and environmental industries in Cambodia’s warmer climes.
The Nordic Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (NordCham) met for the first time last week to prepare for its official launch in the middle of this year. The initial meeting in Phnom Penh last Wednesday drew about 50 representatives from local businesses and NGOs.
Few businesses from the five Nordic countries—Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden—have set up shop in Cambodia, with just a smattering of small- and medium-sized enterprises, mostly in the hotel, information technology and restaurant sector, said Kjeld Olsen, an entrepreneur from Denmark and one of the founders of NordCham.
Danish transportation and logistics company Maersk has a presence in Cambodia already and is a member of the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham), Mr. Olsen added.
NordCham will operate independently, but closely with EuroCham, he said.
Nordic companies have expressed interest in Cambodia’s fish farming and clean water and oil production industries.
According to Mr. Olsen, the Swedish ambassador to Cambodia is considering hosting a trade mission between Sweden and Cambodia later this year.
“More companies in Nordic countries see Cambodia as a potential country to invest [in],” Mr. Olsen said.
