PHNOM PENH, October 28, 2026 — The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) joined the 1st National Forum on Financing for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) 2026 to explore financing opportunities for Cambodia’s cashew businesses, particularly local processing companies seeking capital to expand operations and strengthen the domestic value chain.

Held under the theme “Access to Financing for MSMEs,” the two-day forum runs from October 27–28, 2026, and aims to address challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises in obtaining financing and accessing additional sources of capital.

The forum was initiated and organized by the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (ARDB) in cooperation with the Federation of Associations of Small and Medium Enterprises of Cambodia (FASMEC), under the presidency of H.E. Aun Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance.

CAC was invited to participate in the event as part of its efforts to identify potential financing sources that could help cashew businesses overcome financial constraints, invest in processing facilities, and increase the amount of cashew nuts processed domestically.

Financing and Market Access Remain Major Challenges

Dr. Kao Thach, Delegate of the Royal Government in charge as Chief Executive Officer of ARDB, said that MSMEs are the backbone of Cambodia’s national economy but continue to face two fundamental challenges: limited access to capital and insufficient market access.

He emphasized that the forum was designed to deliver practical solutions rather than serve merely as a platform for theoretical discussions.

On financing, the forum seeks to help businesses overcome lending barriers through credit guarantees provided by the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC), alongside special credit packages offered by ARDB and the SME Bank.

These financing mechanisms are intended to improve access to capital for enterprises that need working capital, investment funding, or financial resources to expand their operations.

The forum also focuses on expanding markets for Cambodian products through stronger value-chain connections, the “Khmer Love Khmer, Support Khmer Products” campaign, and the promotion of digital marketplaces.

In addition, direct business-to-business (B2B) matching sessions were arranged to connect local enterprises with major buyers, supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants, helping Cambodian businesses develop new commercial relationships and expand sales opportunities.

FASMEC Calls for More Accessible Lending Conditions

Oknha Te Taing Por, President of FASMEC, highlighted the important role MSMEs play in creating employment, increasing household incomes, and contributing to Cambodia’s overall economic growth.

However, he noted that access to financing and working capital has long been a major obstacle for business owners seeking to expand their operations.

“The main objective of this forum is that we want to gather all commercial banks and state policy banks to collaborate and find ways to facilitate and ease loan criteria for MSMEs,” he said.

He explained that many enterprises have struggled to secure loans because of insufficient collateral and damaged credit histories recorded by Credit Bureau Cambodia (CBC). These difficulties were compounded by the global economic downturn and the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected businesses’ ability to maintain regular loan repayments.

FASMEC stressed the need for financial institutions and relevant government agencies to work together to identify practical solutions that enable viable businesses to obtain financing despite these challenges.

Opportunities for Cambodia’s Cashew Industry

For CAC, the forum provides an opportunity to explore how existing financing mechanisms could support the development of Cambodia’s cashew processing industry.

Access to suitable capital is particularly important for local processors that need to purchase raw cashew nuts, invest in machinery, maintain working capital, and develop processing capacity. Without adequate financing, domestic businesses may struggle to compete for raw materials and capture greater value from Cambodia’s cashew production.

Improved access to loans, credit guarantees, and other financial products could help processors strengthen their operations, create employment, and contribute to the country’s broader agricultural industrialization objectives.

At the same time, connecting cashew businesses with buyers through B2B meetings and other market-development initiatives could help ensure that increased processing capacity is supported by reliable demand.

CAC’s participation reflects its continued efforts to engage with financial institutions, government agencies, and development partners to identify practical solutions to financing constraints across the cashew value chain.

Strengthening cooperation between the financial sector and Cambodian enterprises will be essential to improving MSME competitiveness, supporting local production, and creating more opportunities for domestic value addition in Cambodia’s cashew industry.

Refernce: FASMEC & Fresh News