Cambodia's food service industry will have a new player in the market from next month.

Triasia Group, headed by Japanese CEO Yokoi Tomoyuki, will open its first Kiriya café in November, with plans already in place to open six more along with some Japanese and European restaurants and a coffee bean manufacturing and export operation.

Triasia Group also aims at being listed on the Cambodian Securities Exchange.

Tomoyuki established Triasia Group last year after his second visit to Cambodia, saying that he noticed the rapid growth that had taken place in the short time since his last visit.

“2009 was when I first came to Cambodia, in front of Nagaworld there was nothing. Canadia Tower was the only tall building,” he said.

“At the end of last year, after I sold my first company and during my second visit, I was really surprised that there were many buildings and the Dreamland Park was built in front of Nagaworld. That was when I decided to start my new business in Cambodia.”

An established entrepreneur, Tomoyuki said he started his first company during university with three million Japanese yen (US$38,000), which he saved on his own. He managed it for 10 years before deciding to sell it.

The decision to start a business in Cambodia is motivated by his desire to foster connections between Japan and the rest of Asia, he said.

“I’m very worried about the future of Japan,” said Tomoyuki. “Our economy is stable but our population is declining. As an entrepreneur, my solution is to better link Japan to Asia through business.”

Another reason for coming to Cambodia for Tomoyuki was the contrast in growth opportunities between Japan and Cambodia.

“In Japan, it’s difficult for people to find business opportunities, but in Cambodia there are many, many business opportunities,” he said.

Kiriya will stand out through location and service, said Tomoyuki.

The first café will be located on Street 51 and 370, in what he believes is an underserviced area in terms of restaurant options.

Tomoyuki intends to attain longevity for his business in Cambodia. “I didn’t come here just to make money quickly.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Erika Mudie at [email protected]