Phnom Penh, Cambodia — Khmer Enterprise (KE) and Manulife Cambodia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation, have launched a Training of Trainers (ToT) initiative under the Financial Resilience Program for the Informal Economy, aiming to enhance financial literacy and economic stability for entrepreneurs and informal business owners nationwide. The event took place on 6 February 2026, with more than 60 participants attending the program.
The training, designed as a ToT model, equips trainers with essential skills in financial management, risk preparedness, long-term planning, and coping with economic uncertainties. By preparing trainers who can further deliver this knowledge to informal businesses across Cambodia, the initiative seeks to strengthen financial understanding and resilience within this vital segment of the economy.
Chhieng Vanmunin, Delegate of the Royal Government in charge and CEO of Khmer Enterprise, explained that the government’s involvement through KE reflects a strategic effort to support business growth and financial inclusion. “Promoting financial resilience is a critical step in helping informal businesses transition into small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),” Vanmunin said, emphasizing that improved financial literacy can unlock new opportunities for entrepreneurs to access support services and formalize their operations.
The ToT workshop was structured into three core components: an overview of the program’s objectives and direction for the informal economy; dedicated training modules on financial resilience, strategic planning, and risk mitigation; and practical sessions that allowed participants to apply their learnings. This multi-stage approach was intended to ensure that trainers not only understand key financial concepts but can also effectively share them with business communities across the country.
Mat Sary, Under Secretary of State and Chief of Secretariat of the Coordinating Committee for the Development of Informal Economy, highlighted the importance of public-private cooperation in fostering sustainable economic growth. The training builds on a previous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in September 2025 between relevant stakeholders to provide insurance benefits and comprehensive training for informal business actors.
Rotha Chan, CEO and General Manager of Manulife Cambodia, underscored Manulife’s commitment to supporting the initiative, noting that strengthening financial resilience among entrepreneurs will contribute to broader economic stability for Cambodia’s informal sector.
The partnership between Khmer Enterprise and Manulife Cambodia marks a coordinated effort to promote financial knowledge and resilience, reinforcing inclusive growth and economic adaptability for informal businesses nationwide.
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