Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The Smart Campaign, a global initiative to incorporate strong client protection principles into the financial inclusion industry, has publicly recognized Chamroeun Microfinance Plc. as Client Protection Certified for meeting strong standards of client care.

Chamroeun joins more than 115 other institutions in over 40 countries that have been certified since the program was launched in January 2013.

Chamroeun has served Cambodian families for more than 10 years and currently serves more than 30,000 clients.

The Smart Campaign’s Client Protection Certification program publicly recognizes those institutions providing financial services to low-income households whose standards of care uphold the Smart Campaign’s seven Client Protection Principles. These principles cover important areas such as pricing, transparency, fair and respectful treatment of clients, and prevention of over-indebtedness.

“As a social microfinance institution, Chamroeun is committed to providing adapted, responsible and holistic services to its borrowers; this certification is a testament to the coherence of its actions and values, as well as to the commitment of staff, financial and technical partners, shareholders and board member,.” said Yannick MILEV, CEO of Chamroeun.

Chamroeun was founded in 2006 by the French NGO Entrepreneurs du Monde and has recently been acquired by ReNet Japan Group, a responsible business committed to the continued realisation and strengthening of Chamroeun’s founding principles.

Chamroeun focuses on supporting the growth and strengthening of micro and small enterprises, as well as on ensuring that Cambodian households can access products to improve the quality of their lives via better sanitation, more resilient housing, more efficient energy, etc.

With 60 per cent of its borrowers in rural areas and 80 per cent being women, Chamroeun’s commitment to pro-poor products and services will continue to thrive and diversify in the years to come.