Red Tape
Bureaucratic Red Tape refers to overly complex or repetitive administrative procedures that slow down business activity and investment.
Why does it matter?
While regulation protects the public interest, too many overlapping laws and approvals can make compliance procedures unnecessarily complicated and hinder development. To assess Cambodia’s standing, view the competitiveness dashboard below.
The benefits of streamlining/reducing red tape
Simplifying, digitalising procedures as well as improving coordination between ministries is central to this effort. Cutting unnecessary steps saves time and resources for both businesses and government — creating a competitive economy where doing business is simpler, faster, and more predictable.
Cambodia's Competitiveness Dashboard
Logistics
115 / 129
Digital Readiness
120 / 193
Labour Productivity
130 / 151
Energy Costs
77 / 145
Transparency
158 / 180
Doing Business in Cambodia Indicators
Cambodia’s position in international rankings for investment competitiveness indicators can be significantly improved through a reduction in red tape, and directly impacts the business environment in which you operate. Below are the Red Tape issues that EuroCham Cambodia is tackling so far.
RED TAPE LIST
Commercial Exhibition Permit
As Cambodia and its capital Phnom Penh continue to develop rapidly, the country has the potential to attract a growing segment of the business tourism industry focused on organizing and hosting large-scale professional events such as networking forums, conferences,...
Certificate of Origin
With recent disruptions in global trade and the renewed use of tariffs, coupled with Cambodia’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2029 and the transition ending in 2032, efficient trade procedures have become critical to remain a competitive...
Sectoral Licenses
In Cambodia, businesses operating in regulated sectors must obtain specific sectoral licenses in addition to completing their general business registration on the Online Business Registration (OBR) portal. While the OBR centralises company registration across the...
QIP & OBR Registration
Qualified Investment Projects (QIP) are a key factor of Cambodia’s attractiveness for foreign companies and play a vital role in drawing long-term investment into the country. While QIP registration can now be completed through the CDC's Investment Project Management...
Corporate Secretary
The new Prakas No. 117 issued by the Ministry of Commerce and effective from 9 December 2025, was intended to simplify the business registration procedure.The Prakas however introduced numerous new aspects of corporate governance which were unusual to businesses in...
Get Involved!
If you want to support us on advocacy by sharing your business insights and experiences, please fill out the form linked below to jointly explore opportunities to cut red tape.