The 2^nd Banking and Microfinance Cambodia International Conference featuring the theme “Gaining a decisive edge in banking and payment solutions in Cambodia”

Phnom Penh – 25th January 2010. The 2nd Banking and Microfinance Cambodia International 2010 Conference and Exposition is officially organized by the National Bank of Cambodia, National Information Communications Technology Development Authority of Cambodia (NiDA) and International Data Group (IDG ASEAN), in association with the Cambodia Microfinance Association. The event will be held over two days, January 26 and 27, 2010 at NagaWorld Hotel, Phnom Penh.

Led by the tireless efforts of the Government, Cambodia’s financial sector has witnessed remarkable development and growth. The stable and regulated Banking environment has attracted many banks to set up business in the Kingdom. To date, there are 27 commercial banks, 6 specialized banks, 18 microfinance institutions and 2 foreign bank representative offices. Also, the deposit credit to total assets ratio of these institutions is a healthy 28.67% average.

NBC figures show that at the end of 2008, the Kingdom’s 24 commercial banks had US$2.52 billion in deposits and $2.38 billion in loan disbursements. Net profit across the sector was $116.6 million. Today, Cambodia’s 27 commercial banks, as of the late December, 2009, have attracted more than 800,000 depositors, representing 6% of its population, excluding the deposits in the microfinance system.

The financial sector has grown not only quantitatively but also qualitatively as reflected in remarkable diversification of the financial products and increased public accessibility. Significantly, at the end of the year 2009, microfinance services reached more than 1 million families, accounting for nearly 40% of the population using the services of microfinance institutions.

Enjoying the notable success of the 1st Banking & Microfinance Cambodia, the banking community in Cambodia was offered unique possibility of networking with the governmental bodies in Public Sector Finance. This premier event thus helps in establishing long-term relations and strengthening Business to Government cooperation, as well as sharing with the Financial community the latest trends, ideas and technologies. Hence, the conference has demonstrated its paramount importance in facilitating Cambodia’s drive towards integration

into the global economic system. This year’s event is organized with the theme: “Gaining a decisive edge in banking and payment solutions in Cambodia”. It is designed to consider how Retail, Universal and Private Banks and Microfinance Institutions can promote sustainable development through innovative customer solutions, improved operational efficiency and advanced risk management. It will serve as an ideal platform in making a perfect tool for all players in the banking and financial sector of Cambodia to conduct an exchange of opinions and experience.

The conference has a stellar array of speakers who are top of their respective fields. They will share their knowledge and expertise on a wide range of topics in order to contribute to improving prospects for the country’s banking industry. The scheduled program consists of six keynotes and two specialized sessions. From the National Bank of Cambodia, Mrs. Srey Siyout, Director of Exchange Management Department, will present a keynote on
Transformation of Cambodia's Banking System National Payment Platform. The current clearing system in Cambodia is limited to a semi-automated check clearing system operating on a stand-alone basis. NBC has embarked on re-development of this current system in two phases: “Interim Solution” and “Full Solution”. The “Interim Solution” for a Clearing House was commissioned in May 2009. Mrs. Srey Siyout’s presentation will focus on how the electronic transmission of data for check clearing to and from the clearing house and members could be faster, more convenient and secure and the huge advantages of the second phase, Full Solution, when it is deployed in 2010. The Full Solution will enable electronic inter-city clearing and extend the processing capabilities of the system to provide new payment instruments into clearing and settlement systems such as electronic payment orders.

Delegates will learn about the “Legal Framework for Payment Settlements in Cambodia”, from H.E Bretton G. Sciaroni, Legal Adviser to the Royal Government of Cambodia, Senior Partner, Sciaroni & Associates. He will deliver a keynote on the law in combating money laundering, financing terrorism and payment system for the global financial system in general and Cambodia’s in particular.

As a leading solution provider, IBM also offers an effective approach to improve services, reduce cost and manage risks for banking systems. The presentation “IBM in the Smarter Banking Solutions and Readiness for Cambodia” will be made by Mr. Mai Xuan Nam, Country Manager – ibm.com. The new banking center already established in Vietnam promises to bring about improvements in core banking, efficiency, flexibility and the ability to scale to support the Vietnamese banking industry's rapid growth. IBM will bring its invaluable experience in deploying the unprecedented technology in Vietnam’s market to Cambodia to enable smarter banking for smarter money.

Following the keynotes, the two specialised sessions will touch on Modernization of the banking payment system and Improving Performance of Microfinance Institutions which are accorded top priority for the sustainable development of the banking and microfinance industry. As the global economic recession has had an unexpectedly large impact on Asian countries, it has caused detrimental consequences to emerging countries like the Royal Kingdom of Cambodia. Thus, companies and businessmen who are facing economic challenges should pay attention to the insights in the presentation: “Finance Risk for Microfinance Institutions and How to Reduce it” by Mr. Nandan S. Bisht, Director, Nimbus

Consulting Pvt. Ltd. They will also benefit from listening to: “Impact of Global Financial Crisis on Microfinance in Cambodia” by Mr. Chea Phalarin, Member of the Board of Directors, Cambodia Microfinance Association, General Manager, Amret.

The finale of the 2-day conference will be the leadership forum: “Lessons learnt from the financial crisis and strategies for the rebound”. For many investors, the financial crisis over the last 24 months was an expensive education, thus the forum is an excellent opportunity for leaders to share opinions, best-practices and challenges in order to navigate in the direction that will better-serve their constituencies and bear fruit for their investors during this volatile era.

Showcased alongside the event will be banks & microfinance institutions and solution providers to introduce and display cutting-edge services and products.The Board of Organization anticipates about 500 Chairmen, CEOs, CIOs, CFOs, Presidents, Directors, Senior Managers and experts to attend the conference and 2,500 trade visitors, including banking and financial professionals, business owners, trade associational members to visit the showcase.

About Organizers

The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC)

The NBC was established in December 23, 1954, after the country gained the independence from French Colony and after the Indochina Printing Institution was closed. The National Bank of Cambodia printed its own national currency of Riel in order to completely terminate the monetary alliance with the Vietnamese and Laos currency. Meanwhile, there was the establishing of local banking system in which the state banks and private banks operated together in the territory of Cambodia.

The National Bank of Cambodia was publicly called "Red Bank" or "Banque Rouge", because this term was short and easy for public to say and the term "Red Bank" represented the bravery in overcoming difficulties and the patriotism of National Bank of Cambodia.

Although the National Bank of Cambodia passed over three stages among which the banking system was entirely destroyed, the National Bank of Cambodia remained its body and raised the flag "Red Bank" that has achieved a good result and contributed to make economy stability in the context of macroeconomic as well as in the context of monetary policy framework.

For more details, please visit at:www.nbc.org.kh

NIDA

NiDA stands for the National Information Communications Technology Development Authority which was established by Royal Decree on August 23, 2000. This authority is tasked to:

• Formulate IT promotion and development policy for the short, medium and long term.
• In charge of IT policy implementation to ensure maximum economic growth.
• Monitor and audit all IT related projects in the Kingdom of Cambodia

For more details, please visit at: http://www.nida.gov.kh/

International Data Group (IDG)

Established in 1964, International Data Group (IDG) is the world’s leading technology media, research, and event company. A privately-held company, IDG published more than 300 magazines and newspapers including Bio-IT World, CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Network World and PC World. The company features the largest network of technology-specific website with more than 400 around the world. IDG is also a leading producer of more than 170 computer related events worldwide including LinuxWorld Conference & Expo®, Macworld Conference & Expo®, DEMO®, and IDC Directions. IDC provides global market research and advice through offices in 50 countries.

IDG Indochina, a subsidiary of IDG, established in 2003 as a 100% foreign-owned company, is active in event management, publications, research in technology. Through the presence of IT Conference and Exposition brands in Finance, Banking, Education and Training, Communications and Networking, Public Services, Vietnam Computerworld Expo; publications such as PC World, Computerworld; Research, IDG Indochina is the leading company in these areas in Indochina markets of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Further information is available at www.idg.com.vn and www.idgcambodia.com

For further information, those interested to attend the conference and the exhibition should visit our website www.idgcambodia.com/banking or contact: