How to register a company in Cambodia?
Cambodia Company Registration Stages – Basic Steps
Incorporation of the company with the Business Registration Office
Companies must register through the registration service of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) Cambodia Data Exchange (CAMDX) system.
Once you've selected the type of company you want, you'll need to reserve a company name. You must enter a suggested name in Khmer and the system will automatically check for the suggested name. It is also possible to register a name in another language, usually English. Then you have to choose the type of business you want to establish.
Once approved, the name will remain in place for two weeks from the date of approval. If you want to extend the retention period, you must pay again to keep the company name for another two weeks.
Then, it is necessary to select the business activity according to the Standard Industry Classification (SIC**), submit the lease agreement for the registered office and the required shareholder and director information.
The company capital should be at least 4 million KHR (US$1,000).
Cambodia's national currency is the Riel (KHR), but most transactions are conducted and denominated in US dollars.
The LCE stipulates the minimum number of shares to be issued by the company and requires the company to issue a minimum of 1,000 shares with a minimum par value of 4,000 Kam riel per share. Therefore, the minimum capital required for a company is K.K. 4,000,000 (about $1,000). However, certain licensed activities are subject to higher capital requirements.
Once the registration is approved, a certificate of registration will be received, which can be obtained and issued at the Registrar's Department.
The following documents need to be uploaded when registering with the Ministry of Commerce:
Ownership or lease agreement for the land where the business is located.
A recent photograph of the director, shareholder (if the shareholder is a natural person) and or representative (if the shareholder is a legal person) on a white background, not more than three months old.
National identity card or passport of a director, shareholder (if the shareholder is a natural person) and or representative (if the shareholder is a legal entity).
Articles of Association in English and Khmer.
Reference documents (which can be a letter specifying that an existing company is allowed to use a similar company name, special licenses, and related documents).
Power of attorney (if the person filling out the application form is your representative).
Once you've successfully registered, you'll also have to complete some post-registration compliance, such as receiving a company seal, opening a corporate bank account, and registering with National Social Security**.
Company seal
Once the company is registered, the company seal must be obtained from the seal manufacturer and should conform to the format prescribed by the Ministry of Commerce. The Ministry of Commerce will then register the company seal.
The registration documents are stamped and approved
The documents that need to be stamped by the Ministry of Administration and General Affairs are the Articles of Association and the Certificate of Incorporation.
Tax registration
To register for tax, the application form from the Directorate General of Taxation must be completed on the registration service**.
The following documents must be attached:
Proof of property tax paid or business property information.
Bank account information (must be provided in digital form within 15 business days of tax registration.) Failure to do so will result in GDT revoking the given certificate).
Open a corporate bank account
The company must open a bank account and deposit the initial funds in the bank. Within fifteen days of receiving the Certificate of Incorporation, a bank statement with the capital deposited must be submitted for ** registration.
Some of the banks in Cambodia are:
Akleida Bank.
Bank of Canada. Cambodia Foreign Trade Bank.
Union Commercial Bank.
ANZ Royal Bank.
Watanak Bank.
Maybank of Cambodia.
Advanced Bank of Asia***