Background
The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) led an inter-ministerial meeting on 7 July 2026 to coordinate multi-agency work on the microfinance sector. The meeting reviewed progress on a set of 22 priority activities and prepared the agenda for a fourth high-level multi-stakeholder consultation scheduled for August 2026.
The National Bank of Cambodia regulates and supervises licensed microfinance institutions and sets prudential guidelines for the sector. Cambodia’s microfinance sector is governed through coordinated policy actions between the central bank and multiple ministries and agencies.
Key Developments
The session, chaired by Dr Lay Sokheng of the National Bank of Cambodia, brought together representatives from relevant ministries and institutions to assess implementation progress of the 22 priority activities linked to microfinance development. Participants exchanged views on continuing measures to ensure responsible lending practices and on steps to counter illegal lending activities. The meeting set preparatory steps for the fourth high-level consultation with stakeholders, to take place in August 2026.
Institutional Role
The 22 priority activities originate from a coordinated framework developed under a 2024 joint statement between the National Bank of Cambodia and the United Nations in Cambodia. The framework assigns roles for the central bank and line ministries to address sector governance, consumer protection, and the operational capacity of microfinance providers.
Implications for the Microfinance Sector
The inter-agency coordination reviewed at the meeting aligns sector actors on priorities such as promoting responsible credit, improving consumer safeguards, and reducing unlawful lending. Outcomes from the preparatory work are intended to inform the agenda and technical inputs for the scheduled high-level consultation in August 2026.
Official Source
Source: National Bank of Cambodia Facebook post, 9 July 2026 — original post at the National Bank of Cambodia official page.
