PHNOM PENH: July 23, 2024 – Banjaran Asset Management (Cambodia) Plc., the first SERC-approved entity to launch a Collective Investment Scheme fund in Cambodia, is hosting a Fund Distributors Launch Event today at the Grand Ballroom, Oakwood Premier Phnom Penh.

Meanwhile, ACLEDA Securities Plc. (“ACS”) has taken a significant step forward in Cambodia’s capital markets by obtaining approval from the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (“SERC”) to act as a “Distributor Company” for this Collective Investment Scheme (“CIS”) funds.

The inauguration was presided over by H.E. Sou Socheat, Delegate of the Royal Government in charge as Director-General of Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC), Dr. Prom Visoth, Director of ACS, Oknha Sen Pisethvannida, Director of BAMC and other investors from various sectors.

“The establishment the Collective Investment Scheme (CIS) fund in Cambodia has been a result of careful planning and consideration by the SERC,” said H.E. Sou Socheat.”Through research and experience from various countries and international organizations like IOSCO, and based on the roadmap of Cambodia’s financial sector development strategy (2011-2020 and the updated 2016-2025 version), SERC has been instrumental in shaping this initiative.”

This milestone was achieved on February 6th, 2024, making ACS the first official CIS Fund Distributor in the Kingdom.

ACS further announced it received approval to commence distribution of the BAMC Asia Equity Fund (“BAEF”) on July 12th, 2024. This paves the way for Cambodian investors to access global markets through regulated CIS funds, a development applauded by both ACS and BAMC.

Banjaran Asset Management (Cambodia) PLC (“BAMC”) had already secured SERC approval to launch the BAEF last November. The company received the final green light for fund registration on July 15th, 2024, allowing BAEF to begin investing and reflecting the underlying asset valuation in its daily pricing. This cooperation between ACS and BAMC signifies a turning point for Cambodia’s capital markets, aligning them more closely with international trends.

As Dr. Prom Visoth, Director of ACS, stated: “We are pleased to collaborate with BAMC, pioneering this new development within Cambodia’s Capital Market sector. Following our research visit to Singapore, we recognize this as a natural evolution in the securities industry. We hope that our partnership will contribute to Cambodia’s continued growth and progress.”

Oknha Sen Pisethvannida, Director of BAMC, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the ease of access for investors: “We are honored to be able to work with ACLEDA Group on the distribution of BAEF. This final piece will allow investors to approach any ACS branch to buy and sell units in our daily traded BAEF.”

The introduction of CIS funds brings a layer of security and transparency to Cambodian investment opportunities. As the press release mentions, “CIS funds are highly regulated and investments made within the funds are subjected to multiple checks and balances by independent parties.

Periodic reports are given to investors to ensure transparency.” This aligns perfectly with Cambodia’s mission to ensure financial stability within the financial sector. Both BAMC and ACS aim to establish a new standard for responsible investment practices in Cambodia.

ACLEDA Securities Plc. (“ACS”)
ACS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ACLEDA Bank Plc. and provides a range of services including Securities Brokerage, Securities Selling Agent, Bondholders Representative and Fund Distribution to individual and institutional customers, investors and the public. ACS has won the Best Securities Broker Award numerous times by the Cambodia Securities Exchange (“CSX”).

Banjaran Asset Management (Cambodia) PLC (“BAMC”)
BAMC was incorporated in the Kingdom of Cambodia in 2022 and holds a fund management license issued by the SERC to establish and manage public fund of collective investment scheme. BAMC is a joint venture between Banjaran Holdings Pte Ltd from Singapore, Best Magnet Capital Co., Ltd and Primo Plus Co., Ltd. Banjaran Holdings and BAMPL are related companies.

BAMC Asia Equity Fund (“BAEF”)
The BAEF is a unit trust fund that invests in stocks listed in major stock exchanges in Asia Pacific Ex-Japan. It aims to deliver an expected return of 7-10%* per annum over the medium to long term. The Fund is expected to be diversified with at least 30 stocks across Asia (eg. Singapore, Hong Kong/China, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines etc.) and across various sectors (eg. Banking, Property, Industrials, Consumer, Telecoms, Technology, etc.). The Fund is domiciled in the Kingdom of Cambodia and is USD-denominated. The Fund will accept subscriptions and redemptions daily and the daily unit price of the Fund will be available on various media channels.