Cambodian Riel Gains International Recognition with Listing in Australia
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Phnom Penh – The influence and circulation of the Cambodian riel (KHR) on the international market is set to expand following its official listing on currency exchange boards in Australia. UK-based financial services firm Travelex has now posted the riel at its outlets in Melbourne, enabling direct exchange between Cambodian riel and Australian dollars.
The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) announced that under a cooperation agreement with Travelex, the riel has been included in the list of tradable currencies at Travelex money exchange counters in Melbourne as of September 1, 2025.
The launch event was attended by Ly Sideth, Assistant Governor at the NBC, and Adam Nezval, Head of Wholesale Banknotes & Cash Operations at Travelex for Australia and New Zealand.
Boost for Tourism and Trade
According to the NBC, the listing will make it easier for Australian tourists traveling to Cambodia and Cambodians visiting Australia to exchange currencies directly, supporting tourism and people-to-people ties.
“The presence of the riel on foreign exchange boards in Australia is a clear indication that the riel is a tradable currency on the international market. It reflects growing confidence and broader international recognition of the Cambodian riel. This is the result of NBC’s continuous efforts over the past two decades to maintain the stability of the national currency,” the NBC said in a statement.
Economists Hail Confidence in Cambodian Economy
Hong Vanak, an economist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, noted that the move demonstrates international trust in Cambodia’s currency. “If a country is unstable, no one would want to use or hold its currency. The inclusion of the riel in a global financial company’s currency exchange system brings many benefits to Cambodia, especially in the tourism sector,” he explained.
He added that the availability of the riel in Australia will enhance convenience for travelers and could help attract more tourists from the country.
Rising Australian Tourist Arrivals
Data from the Ministry of Tourism shows that 59,435 Australian tourists visited Cambodia in the first seven months of 2025, a 6.8 percent increase from the same period in 2024. In 2024 as a whole, Cambodia welcomed 104,489 Australian tourists, up nearly 20 percent from the previous year.
Expanding Global Reach
Australia is now the fourth country where Travelex has partnered with the NBC to list the Cambodian riel. Previous listings include Chongqing International Airport in China, Haneda International Airport in Japan, and Changi International Airport in Singapore.
“The NBC will continue to explore the possibility of listing the riel in currency exchange boards at other international financial centers around the world,” the central bank said.
The step marks another milestone in Cambodia’s ongoing efforts to raise the profile of its national currency on the global stage, reinforcing confidence in the country’s economic stability and growth.
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