The Movement: “Khmer Must Be Strong” — A Call for Cambodia’s Small Business Owners to Rise, Lead, and Compete
On February 07, 2026, at the Khemaravidū Building, Royal Academy of Cambodia, a powerful message echoed through the seminar titled “The Movement: Khmer Must Be Strong.” It was more than a theme for one event—it was a national mindset: a call for every Cambodian entrepreneur, especially small business owners, to strengthen themselves, strengthen their institutions, and strengthen Cambodia’s competitiveness in the region and the world.
At the seminar, Her Excellency So Sereyvathana, Founder and Chairwoman of Life Education and a Board Member of the Cambodian Women Entrepreneurs Association, highlighted a truth that every business owner needs to understand: Cambodia is not alone. Within the ASEAN region, there are many influential networks and associations that connect entrepreneurs, expand opportunities, and raise business standards. Among those key networks are the Cambodian Women Entrepreneurs Network (CamWEN), the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Cambodia (YEAC) chaired by Oknha Pech Bolene, the CEO Master Club—with more than 40% female membership—as well as the American Chamber of Commerce, among others.
This is significant because in today’s economy, success is no longer built in isolation. It is built through networks, standards, and capabilities—supported by communities that challenge you to grow.
Why Networks Matter More Than Ever
Her Excellency emphasized the primary objective of CamWEN: to serve as a coordinating platform where existing associations can participate collectively. Instead of working separately, the goal is to align voices, connect leadership, and represent shared interests in a stronger, united way.
Today’s gathering was designed to bring together leaders and presidents of various associations—not just to meet, but to collaborate, represent, and advance the collective interests of all members.
Most importantly, CamWEN functions as a single gateway for engagement with all 11 ASEAN member countries, offering benefits such as:
- Participation in exhibitions
- Access to seminars and capacity-building events
- Inclusion in ASEAN-level meetings
- Opportunities for international trade exchanges
- And many more doors that small businesses typically struggle to open alone
For Cambodian small business owners, this is a crucial lesson: your business grows faster when your network grows wider—and when you are connected to the right people, the right systems, and the right opportunities.
“Cambodia Must Be Strong” — What It Really Means for Entrepreneurs
The message was clear and urgent:
Cambodia must be strong. We must build strong institutions. Strength begins with ourselves.
This is not motivational language for applause. It is a strategic roadmap.
When entrepreneurs build stronger businesses, Cambodia becomes stronger. When businesses become standardized and competitive, Cambodia becomes respected. When owners grow in leadership and capability, the nation’s economy grows with them.
Her Excellency called for a long-term vision—a mindset of building strength from the inside out:
- Strong individuals (leaders with discipline and vision)
- Strong families (stable values and resilience)
- Strong products and services (standardized, high quality, trusted by the market)
- Strong competitiveness (ready to compete in ASEAN and global markets)
This is the future of Cambodian business: not only surviving locally, but competing internationally.
The Three Principles That Decide Your Business Future
To achieve this national strength, Her Excellency presented three core principles that Khmer people must commit to:
1) Unity: No business owner rises alone. Unity means building partnerships, joining communities, and working together across industries and associations. Unity creates leverage—shared knowledge, shared power, and shared opportunity.
2) Standards: In modern markets, customers do not reward effort—they reward quality. Standards mean professional systems, consistent delivery, ethical business practices, reliable branding, and products that can stand proudly in ASEAN and beyond.
3) Capability: Capability means skills and leadership. It means learning business strategy, management, finance, marketing, negotiation, and modern customer experience. Capability is what transforms a hardworking owner into a confident CEO.
Where CEO Master Club Fits Into This Movement
This is exactly why communities like CEO Master Club matter.
CEO Master Club is not just a membership. It is a leadership environment—designed to help business owners grow with the mindset and tools of real CEOs. It represents a new generation of Cambodian entrepreneurs who are not satisfied with “small.” They are committed to improvement, professionalism, and growth.
With more than 40% female membership, CEO Master Club also reflects a strong and modern Cambodia—where women entrepreneurs lead with confidence, build businesses with excellence, and strengthen the nation through enterprise.
In a world where competition is rising and markets are evolving quickly, the question is no longer:
“Do I want to learn more?”
The real question is: “Can I afford not to? ”
Because every year you delay building standards and capability, your competitors grow faster. Every time you ignore networking, you lose opportunities you may never even see.
