One Malaysian in Cambodia who was born in the same year as Malaysian independence 55 years ago today, is Chee Chin Hoe, CEO of VisionFund Cambodia.

Chee, looking back on the last two and a half years of work at a leading microfinance institution in Cambodia, said he has no regrets coming to Cambodia, following a 30 year career in Malaysia in commercial banking.

“Looking back, I have no regrets in having left a stable and established career of over 30 years in banking. I was not looking for financial benefit, but to answer to a higher calling,” Chee said.

“Working at VisionFund has given me great satisfaction because I get to serve in an institution which possesses vast opportunity to bring relief and help to the poor and needy people, which ultimately impacts the children and the next generation of this land.”

Chee said he takes pleasure in the growth during his 2.5 year tenure at VisionFund Cambodia  from  98,000 to 145,000 clients, a growth of almost 50 per cent.

“This translates to an impact upon half a million children. During that same period our loan portfolio has also doubled from US$21 million to $42 million today,” Chee said.

He’s also happy that loan portfolio quality has improved tremendously from an non-payment rate of 3.40 per cent in 2009 to below 0.25 per cent today.

“Of course there is the need to keep running the organisation professionally and efficiently in order to remain sustainable to serve for the long term. For that I am happy that we are now able to attain a reasonable return on assets in the region of four per cent.”

“Overall, VisionFund Cambodia has grown from strength to strength as it strives to stay true to its mission and social performance. For me, this is satisfaction that money cannot buy,” he said.