The government and the Singapore-based Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP) on August 31 launched the Cambodia Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) investor map. UNDP
The government and the Singapore-based Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP) on August 31 launched the Cambodia Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) investor map.
The SDG map is a market intelligence tool that identifies viable investment opportunity areas aligned with the Cambodia SDGs to accelerate sustainable development.
It is a new market intelligence tool that identifies 15 investment opportunity areas guiding the private sector to focus on SDG priority sectors that could benefit from expanded financing options.
The map was launched at the Temasek Trust and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
It is anticipated that by 2025 the funding available for development in Cambodia will reach $23.4 billion, or 69.8 per cent of GDP, driven mainly by domestic resource mobilisation, foreign direct investment and remittances, the UNDP said on August 31.
The map was created to identify investment opportunities in priority sectors that have both strong financial and development impact potential.
The Cambodia map has been added to another 22 country SDG investor maps, which are accessible on the SDG investor platform, the UNDP said.
It highlights 15 investment opportunity areas that cover business models across six SDG priority sectors, – agriculture and allied industries, financial services, infrastructure, renewable energy, education, and healthcare.
The map also identifies another 10 "white spaces" aligned with national development needs that have potential for growth but would require more private sector participation or a scope for more policy support.
The government has a clear goal to drive the economy towards upper-middle-income country status by 2030 and high-income country status by 2050, and the private sector will play a large and significant role in this journey, said secretary of state at the Ministry of Economy and Finance Ros Seilava.
“Our economic development must be sustainable, which is why we are very pleased to have worked with UNDP to create the Cambodia SDG investor map.
“The map not only showcases the sectors that have potential for sustainable development, but will also serve as the foundation for discussions on policy-level measures to strengthen an ecosystem that is attractive for private investors here,” he said.
UNDP Cambodia resident representative Alissar Chaker said the business case for achieving the SDGs is strong worldwide and particularly in Asia, where there is an estimated 40 per cent of the $12 trillion worth of business opportunities.
“The market intelligence generated by the map will guide private sector investors looking to invest sustainably, profitably and with the confidence that the sectors identified respond to the national development priorities,” she said.
CIIP CEO Dawn Chan said CIIP was pleased to support the development and launch of Cambodia’s SDG investor map.
The work provides both private and public sector actors with the critical data needed to develop an evidence-based approach to direct capital to areas of greatest opportunity and need in the country, she added.
“CIIP was set up by Temasek Trust with the belief that impact investing can act as an effective lever for sustainability.
“Together with our partners at the UNDP and the Royal Government of Cambodia, we look forward to building off the important foundation the map has laid, to create further opportunities for collaboration to drive sustainable investment in Cambodia,” she said.
UNDP SDG Impact director Fabienne Michaux said Cambodia had taken meaningful strides to improve its economy for its people and environment.
“We applaud the Royal Government of Cambodia for its commitment to build forward with sustainability and the SDGs at the heart of development by using the market intelligence generated by the map,” she said.
Following the launch of the SDG investor map, UNDP Cambodia and its partners will bring together potential investors, investee companies and policymakers for partnership building and boosting investments in the Cambodia SDG priority areas identified in the map.
UNDP said it supports the Cambodian government in its efforts to catalyse blended finance for the achievement of the 2030 agenda and the Cambodia SDGs as part of an integrated national financing framework for green, inclusive and resilient development.
