Cambodia Faces Mounting Debt Challenges in the Real Estate Sector

The real estate sector in Cambodia is grappling with mounting financial concerns, as total housing debt nears USD 1 billion, according to insights shared during the recent roundtable discussion, The Debt Situation in Cambodia, organised by the Real Estate and Mortgage Regulatory Authority. Mr Chou Vannak, Director General of the authority, revealed that homebuyers owe […]

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Expert: Dual-Pronged Strategy to Navigate Post-Pandemic Challenges in the ASEAN+3 Property Market

The ASEAN+3 property markets, encompassing ASEAN nations along with China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea, are grappling with declining prices and transaction volumes, compounded by financial constraints, surplus inventory, and at-risk developers. These challenges, exacerbated in the Plus-3 economies by stricter financial conditions and diminished buyer confidence, underscore the pressing need for stabilization measures in […]

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Critical Analysis of Cambodia’s Stamp Duty Exemption Policy for Properties Valued at USD70K or Less

The Cambodian government’s decision to introduce a stamp duty exemption for properties valued at USD 70,000 or less is a policy aimed at alleviating the financial burden on property buyers and stimulating the real estate market. However, while this policy appears beneficial, a deeper analysis reveals both advantages and disadvantages that raise questions about its […]

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Thai office space vacancy rate rises 26.3%, Yet Thailand’s richest billionaire optimistic about market demand growth

Bangkok’s office vacancy rate in prime Grade A buildings has soared to 26.3%, reflecting a growing oversupply, but Frasers Property Limited, led by Thailand’s wealthiest scion, is betting on the US-China trade feud to drive demand for office and industrial spaces across Southeast Asia, according to bangkokpost on 19 September 2024. With a US$3.6 billion […]

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Thailand’s USD 6.5 Billion EV Industry Set to Power Commercial Real Estate Growth

Thailand’s fast-growing electric vehicle (EV) industry is projected to generate a real estate market worth at least USD 6.5 billion by 2030, driven by government policies and strong foreign investments. As the country aims to solidify its position as Southeast Asia’s leading hub for EV manufacturing, this growth will fuel demand for specialised real estate […]

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Cambodia Maintains the World’s Highest Central Bank Interest Rates, Defying Global Trends

In the third quarter of 2024, Cambodia continues to lead global markets, with central bank interest rates soaring between 10% and 12%, starkly contrasting with the 0% to 6% range maintained by most major economies. This divergence, detailed in a report by CBRE Cambodia published on 17 October 2024, spans from December 2021 to December […]

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Cambodia’s Construction Investments Struggle to Recover as 2024 Sees Significant Drop

Cambodia’s construction sector continues to face a challenging period, with approved investment projects in 2024 falling to about 2,190, valued at under USD 4 billion, a stark contrast to the nearly 4,841 projects worth approximately USD 12 billion in 2020. The latest report from the Ministry of Land Management and Urban Planning, presented by CBRE […]

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Cambodia’s Tourism Rebounds to Near Pre-Crisis Levels, But Chinese Arrivals Lag Behind Regional Peers

Cambodia’s tourism sector is witnessing a robust rebound in 2024, with international arrivals reaching 4.4 million in the first eight months, a 22.5% surge compared to the same period last year. This strong performance brings the country within 1.6% of its pre-crisis peak of 6.9 million visitors in 2019, highlighting the sector’s steady recovery after […]

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PwC Slapped with Record USD 62.2m Fine and Six-Month Ban Over Evergrande Audit Failures

PwC Zhong Tian, the China arm of the global accounting giant, has been fined a record USD 62.2 million and banned from auditing for six months for its failure to identify financial misstatements in China Evergrande Group’s accounts between 2018 and 2020. The penalties, the most severe imposed on an audit firm in China, are […]

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While China Controls Most of the Real Estate Market, Japan Continues to Dominate ASEAN’s Major Economies

Though growing rapidly, Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in Southeast Asia focuses more on tertiary industries like finance, construction, and real estate. It is particularly prominent in less-developed economies such as Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. According to a recent study by Guanie Lim and Chengwei Xu, China’s FDI in these sectors may complement, rather than […]

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