Following the Cambodia Stock Exchange’s recent opening, a number of experts in property, economy and the banking sectors told Post Property that this new market will help boost Cambodia’s economy, especially in construction investments.

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Sung Bonna, CEO of Bonna Realty and the president of the National Valuer’s Association of Cambodia, said that Cambodia will benefit greatly from the stock market, which is seen as a gateway for pooling capital for the country’s development. However, he said, before reaching its optimal development, there must be good cooperation from the government so that the investors will gain confidence before they decide to invest in the market.

“The property market will be improved when there is a stock exchange market. This market will help the property market grow fast. When we are investing and we have capital in hand, the investment will be fast growing,” he said, adding that this will promote pooling capital for investment, which is unlike the individual investment seen in the past. The opening of the market will provide families with limited income opportunities to invest and grow their capital.

The market will not negatively affect the property and construction markets, but will push them to rise, as the investors will combine their capital and invest in larger projects, Bonna said, adding that if the market goes well, other sectors will also develop fast.

CPL Property Co. Director Cheng Kheng said that the start of the CSX is good for the property market, as investors who wish to invest can use this opportunity to enlarge their business.

The market will boost investors’ confidence and they will continue to invest using this market as a means for investment, rather than waiting for a long-term return-on-investment from other businesses, he said. “The market could easily pool capital for development together and receive profit uniformly.”

Executive Vice President of ACLEDA Bank So Phonnary said it is true that the opening of the market could influence the bank and property sectors. The influence, she added, helps her bank to make profit from loan payback arrangements.

Presently the bank has a transaction system that could help it to benefit from investors who have accounts with it, she said. However, she added, the market has only just opened, so it is not clear that it will run smoothly. She said“It will be good for all sectors when we have a stock exchange up and running. They will have capital and opportunities to invest in all sectors,” she said.

Cambodia University Economics Lecturer Chheng Kimlong said: “The stock exchange is important for pooling the capital for investment, meaning they transform the inactive assets to active ones. However, the investors should not think that there is no risk.”

Investors should not lose their confidence in each other when the market drops, when the investors incur losses or when they lose their investments, he added. Thus, he said, the investors should behave properly and accurately in order for their business to be successful.