Public and Private Sectors Unite to Address Cambodia’s Affordable Housing Challenge

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Public and Private Sectors Unite to Address Cambodia’s Affordable Housing Challenge
Public and Private Sectors Unite to Address Cambodia’s Affordable Housing Challenge./Image supplied.

EuroCham Cambodia, through its Real Estate & Construction Committee, successfully hosted a full-house event titled “Unlocking Affordable Housing in Cambodia: Challenges and Opportunities”, on October 2, 2025, at Tribe Phnom Penh. The workshop brought together government representatives, international experts, and private sector developers to exchange insights on how to make affordable housing viable, sustainable, and accessible for all Cambodians.

Opening the session, Michel Cassagnes, Chairman of EuroCham’s Real Estate & Construction Committee, and Regional Managing Director of Archetype Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam, highlighted the importance of affordable housing as a cornerstone for Cambodia’s long-term social and economic development. His remarks were followed by Sok Sam On, Deputy Director General at the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, who outlined the Royal Government’s priorities and strategies for ensuring adequate housing for low- and middle-income households.

From the government side, Heng Salpiseth, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Public-Private Partnership at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, discussed national incentive schemes and the establishment of the National Program for the Development of Affordable Housing, while Sok Sam On shared updates on regulatory frameworks and land policy to support developers and buyers alike.

Private sector perspectives were provided by Yuk Sothirith, General Manager of WorldBridge Homes, who presented the business case for affordable housing; and Dourng Kakada, Country Advisory and Economics Lead for Cambodia at IFC, who emphasised how green financing and sustainable design can make affordable housing both profitable and resilient.

Image supplied.

The event’s panel discussion, moderated by Martin Aerne, Founding Director of Aerne Architects & Associates, brought together a distinguished panel of experts including representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Land Management, IFC, WorldBridge Homes, and Future Architecture. The dialogue underscored that collaboration between government, developers, and financial institutions will be key to scaling up affordable housing supply and achieving sustainability goals.

Reflecting on the event, Gabriele Faja, EuroCham Chairperson, remarked:

The Unlocking Affordable Housing in Cambodia workshop brought together key stakeholders from government, private developers, and international partners to discuss one of the nation's most critical urban challenges. The event served as a platform to establish a clear framework for building a sustainable and inclusive housing future. The discussions focused on practical strategies to make affordable housing a reality, with speakers and panelists highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships to bridge the gap between policy and implementation. They also explored innovative financing models to increase access to homeownership for the growing urban population.

The session concluded with an open Q&A and a lively networking reception, where participants continued discussions and explored partnership opportunities in a relaxed atmosphere.

This press release was supplied.