Cambodia Sets Three Banking Priorities Amid Geopolitical Tensions
Cambodia Sets Three Banking Priorities Amid Geopolitical Tensions
PHNOM PENH — Aug. 21, 2026: National Bank of Cambodia Governor Chea Serey has outlined three priorities for strengthening the country’s banking sector as geopolitical tensions intensify and global markets remain volatile.
Speaking at the 5th Cambodia Banking Conference, Chea Serey said rapid global changes, rising geopolitical tensions, conflicts in the Middle East and increasingly volatile markets were creating growing pressure on developing economies.
For Cambodia, she said the priority should be to remain proactive rather than simply absorb the impact of external shocks, with trust at the centre of efforts to maintain financial stability.
Chea Serey identified three priorities for the banking sector:
- Resilience: Maintaining strong discipline in lending, capital and liquidity to ensure banks can withstand economic and financial shocks.
- Integrity and transparency: Strengthening the effectiveness of measures against money laundering and terrorist financing (AML/CFT), while improving consumer protection.
- Secure and inclusive digital finance: Continuing to expand digital financial services based on KHQR and cross-border payments, while ensuring cybersecurity and system resilience keep pace with innovation.
“What we need to protect most is trust,” Chea Serey said, according to remarks released in connection with the conference.
The two-day Cambodia Banking Conference, held on Aug. 19-20 in Phnom Penh, brought together more than 500 participants, including banking regulators, government officials, diplomats, ASEAN banking representatives, development partners and representatives of financial institutions. About 300 attended in person, while more than 200 joined online.
The conference focused on setting strategic directions for a safer, more trusted and sustainable banking sector, including responsible lending, financial stability, credit quality, liquidity and operational resilience.
Participants also discussed stronger AML/CFT standards, cybersecurity, financial-crime prevention and consumer protection, alongside regional experience in digital finance and cross-border payments.
The conference further examined ways to translate discussions on green finance, SME financing and human-resource development into practical measures for Cambodia’s banking industry.
Chea Serey’s three priorities come as Cambodia’s financial sector faces the challenge of maintaining confidence and stability while navigating an increasingly uncertain global economic and geopolitical environment.
