AmCham Cambodia’s 6th CSR Excellence Awards Recognises Outstanding Contributions To Cambodian Society
The 6th CSR Excellence Awards hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Cambodia was held on January 29, 2025 at the Oakwood Premier Phnom Penh. Twenty-five companies submitted a total of 32 corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects for evaluation across six different categories, with Manulife Cambodia, ABA Bank and Smart Axiata among the big winners.
This year’s CSR Excellence Awards judging panel was made up of three individuals with expertise across different fields:
- Bill Monroe, Retired U.S. Diplomat
- Jamie Wu, Economic Officer, U.S. Embassy in Cambodia
- Dr. Kenneth Paul Charman, Professor, CamEd Business School
Opening the awards ceremony, Anthony Galliano, Vice-President of AmCham Cambodia, detailed some of the CSR initiatives led by AmCham in the past.
“Through AmCham’s President Leadership Scholarship, we offered up to USD 10,000 towards tuition fees for higher graduates pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Finance at CamEd Business School,” shared Galliano.
AmCham has also supported education for underprivileged children through a USD 5,000 donation to Indochina Starfish Foundation (ISF); donated supplies, computer equipment and food to the Ministry of Health and the National Paediatric Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic; donated USD 10,000 to assist in land mine clearance in Prey Veng province; and raised over USD 50,000 for the repatriation of Khmer cultural artifacts and treasures.
“We are living in challenging times, times of uncertainty, division, economic volatility, global crisis, environmental disasters and one of self-interest,” Galliano added. “So in these tough and demanding times, let's choose compassion over indifference, generosity over self-interest and unity over division.”
Bridgette L. Walker, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh, also remarked:
All of the businesses presented here today are leaders in CSR efforts. We are proud to see how these businesses are not only contributing to the local and global economy, but also making positive impacts on health, education, environment and the general well-being of local communities.
Speaking with B2B Cambodia about the importance of CSR, judge Dr. Kenneth Paul Charman, stressed that CSR initiatives are an expected part of doing business that are not only good for the community, but can also result in profitable outcomes.
“CSR is something that people, in my view, should really consider because it is good for your business, and it is what is expected,” said Charman. “It's an ethical approach to business, and many find it a more profitable approach as well.”
So be proud of it, put it forward, and come to events like this to be recognised. The whole purpose of this AmCham event is to recognise the diversity, quality and impact of the CSR activities which are done.
Winners Of AmCham Cambodia’s 6th CSR Excellence Awards 2025
Education
- Winner: ABA Bank
- Runner Ups: Chevron (Cambodia) Limited, Prudential Cambodia, ISF Cambodia (Indochina Starfish Foundation)
Law
- Winner: SOK SIPHANA & ASSOCIATES
- Runner Up: HBS LAW
Financial Literacy (Small + Large Companies)
- Winner: Wing Bank (Cambodia) Plc
- Runner Up: AIA (Cambodia) Life Insurance Plc
Digital Inclusion (Small + Large Companies)
- Winner: Smart Axiata Co., Ltd.
- Runner Up: Wing Bank (Cambodia) Plc
Watch Dr. Kenneth Paul Charman, Professor at CamEd Business School at judge of the 6th CSR Excellence Awards, remark on the importance of CSR initiatives:
Social Impact Small Company
- Winner: Animal Mama
Social Impact Large Companies
Health
- Winner: Manulife Cambodia
- Runner Ups: Orkin Cambodia, AIA (Cambodia) Life Insurance Plc, RMA (Cambodia) Plc.
Environment
- Winner: HEINEKEN Cambodia
- Runner Ups: Manulife Cambodia, Rosewood Phnom Penh, Chevron (Cambodia) Limited, TRIBE Phnom Penh Post Office Square
