[Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 28 December 2023] - To conclude an active year 2023, the first-ever" Asia Pacific Outstanding Enterprise Award" was awarded to OCIC Group(Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation) at the Platinum Business Awards2023, which were hosted by the SME Association of Malaysia. OCIC Group, one of Southeast Asia’s dynamic diversified conglomerates has been recognized for its diverse pioneering infrastructures and connectivity developments, which are positively impacting the socio-economic progress of Cambodia and the Asean Region. This year, the event was attended by H.E Pheap Kol, Minister Attached to Prime Minister of Cambodia Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet as well as H.E Ouk Chandara, Ambassador of Cambodia to Malaysia. H.E Deputy Minister of Entrepreneurship of Malaysia, YB Senator Puan Saraswathy Kandasami, has presided the 2023 Ceremony. OCIC Group VP Thierry Tea together with HE Pheap Kol (Minister attached to the Prime Minister of Cambodia) and H.E. Ouk Chandara (Cambodian Ambassador to Malaysia) (PHOTOS SUPPLIED)

Thierry Tea, Vice President of OCIC Group received the award on behalf of Neak Okhna Dr. Pung Kheav Se, and declared: “For about 30 years, our group’s founder has been actively engaged in building ecosystems in Cambodia and Laos, to enable the growth of SMEs. Receiving this recognition from fellow entrepreneurs and captains of industries in the ASEAN region, is an amazing encouragement for OCIC Group’s contribution to build opportunities for millions of people." The Platinum Business Awards organized since 2002, by the 10,000+ members’ SME Association of Malaysia, is an award giving body, which recognizes SMEs and business personalities for achievements and contribution in support of development of small and medium companies. SMEs are the backbone of most countries’ economies. In Cambodia, over 90% of businesses are SMEs and represents nearly 60% of the country’s GDP.

This year, with over 2,000 attendees, the 2023 edition of the Platinum Business Awards, in Kuala Lumpur, was recognized by the Malaysia Book of Records as the business awards ceremony with the most attendees. With the goal of sharing viewpoints on business development and exchanging technological know-how, Cambodia shares deeply rooted relations with the Malaysian Business Community. The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC)counts 162 projects and 3.2 billion U.S. dollars of Malaysian investment in Cambodia. On the sideline of the event, invited by H.E Dato Sri Ricky Yaw, Chairman of Eakon Group, and Director of the Malaysia-Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (MCCC), the Cambodian delegation led by H.E Minister Pheap Kol with Secretary of State H.E Ying Sarath, Thierry Tea and Lim Keanan to visit and exchange with the Malaysia Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry as well as with members of the SME Association of Malaysia.

OCIC’s Founder & Chairman Neak Okhna Dr. Pung Kheav Se honored by the SME Association of Malaysia (PHOTOS SUPPLIED). OCIC Group has been developing growing relations with the Malaysian business community, including customers, suppliers, and partnerships throughout the different neighborhood in of Koh Pich, Norea City, Olympia City or Chroy Changvar Satellite City, as well as for the Techo International Airport development. The year 2023 has been a very busy year for OCIC Group, which has completed several connectivity infrastructures among other, including the 824 meters long Koh Pich-Koh Norea bridge and the 922 meters long Keo Russey Bridge connecting both sides of the Tonle Sap from National Road 5 to National Road 6 in the Chroy Changvar peninsula. Lastly, in addition to sealed partnerships or launches with international groups such as Accor Hotels from France, Big C from Thailand, and Singapore Airline Engineering from Singapore, OCIC Group has concluded a stellar 2023 by receiving local and international awards recognitions, paving the way for more challenges in 2024.