The Asia Pacific Franchise & Brand Excellence Summit 2025 and awards ceremony was held on February 22 at the Himawari Hotel. Co-organised by the Asia Pacific Summit, Global Entrepreneur 1% Club and the Singapore Cambodia Venture Club (SCVC), the summit sought to underline the key role branding and franchising can play in business, as well as to recognise and award ‘brand excellence’.
The summit’s opening ceremony was presided over by H.E. Chhor Sunhong, Under Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce, and featured keynote addresses from Vuthea Heng, President of the Global Entrepreneur 1% Club; Dean Chan, Founder of Global Kazehi; Anthony Galliano, Group CEO of Cambodian Investment Management Holding; and Kevin Khoo, Group Chairman of Shiok! Group.
In his remarks, H.E. Chhor Sunhong, shared his ministry’s observation of a notable increase in the number of registered trademarks in Cambodia, demonstrating an increased awareness of the need to protect and invest in one’s brand. Over 100 marks were registered in 2024 alone, and around 13,000 brands are registered overall in Cambodia.
The Under Secretary of State, however, stressed that knowledge and awareness of trademarks and copyright still need to be raised among businesses, and the public and private sectors need to work together to promote legal frameworks and documentation.
Business & Investment Pitching Session
Following the opening ceremony, a ‘Business & Investment Pitching’ session was held, giving up to 18 speakers from different businesses the opportunity to showcase their work and speak of the investment opportunities their companies provide. Businesses that took part in the session spanned various sectors, including healthcare, real estate, consumer goods, and electric vehicles (EVs).
Fireside Chats On Branding, Franchising And Invesment Opportunities
The afternoon featured two fireside chat sessions. The first panel discussion focused on ‘Innovation in Franchising: Adapting to Changing Markets’ and featured insights from Jeffrey Chew, CEO of Philip General Insurance (Cambodia) Plc.; Shane Lee, Founder & CEO of Stretto Global Co. Pte Ltd.; H.E. Yiv Phanna, CEO of Yadea Cambodia; and Sok Sopheakmonkol, Co-Founder of Codingate Technology, with moderation from Kevin Khoo.
The second panel centred around ‘Investment Opportunities and Accessibilities: Transforming Your Franchise Business Into a Fundable and Expandable Project’ was moderated by Andrew Tay, Director of Himawari Hotel Apartments, and featured remarks from Dean Chan, Founder of Global Kazehi; Nam Channtry, Director of OBOR Management Co., Ltd.; Chea Chariya, Founder & CEO of A2Z Solutions; and Dr. Pok Peuvthida, CEO of Cambodia Investment Law Office,
Through the two sessions, panellists delved into various aspects of adapting to consumer needs, the role technology plays in branding and franchising (with several mentions of AI and the need for innovation), how franchise businesses can be expanded or transformed into fundable projects, approaches to investment and fundraising, and more.
Overall, the summit provided attendees with examples and innovative case studies of how businesses can successfully strengthen their brands and franchising strategies, as well as attract investment and funding for expansion. Having the right knowledge, tools, resources, and experience are crucial for brand and franchising success, and the summit aimed to provide attendees with valuable insights on these matters.
Asia Pacific Franchise & Brand Excellence Awards
Following the conclusion of the summit, the evening was dedicated to the Asia Pacific Franchise & Brand Excellence Awards, where over 50 trophies were awarded to businesses that have demonstrated excellence in branding and franchising.
