International market- research company TNS has announced the opening of the company’s first office in Cambodia, and has joined forces with MSD, a Cambodian market and social research firm that is a “long-standing partner”, an official company statement said.

Ralf Matthaes has been appointed regional managing director for Indo-China.

He will be supported by Cambodian managing director Eelco Dijkhuizen, who has worked extensively in Vietnam and Cambodia.

“More and more of our global clients are moving into Cambodia, and it is essential to have on-the-ground presence to better service their increasing needs and to address the evolution of the Cambodian consumer,” Matthaes said.

“With a population of 14 million and a young consumer base, 60 per cent of which is under the age of 22, Cambodia is experiencing a renaissance with annual GDP growth averaging seven per cent for the past five years,” Chris Riquier, of TNS Asia Pacific, said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Abe Becker at [email protected]