Background
The Ministry of Economy and Finance operates a Legal Reform Working Group that prepares and coordinates legislative plans and draft sub-decrees related to the ministry’s financial sector remit. The Legal Reform Working Group brings together MEF departments, regulators, and supervised agencies to align proposed instruments with the ministry’s policy and regulatory agenda.
The Trust Regulator is the national authority responsible for oversight, regulation, and development of Cambodia’s trust sector. Representatives from the Trust Regulator participate in inter-agency legal reform processes when draft instruments affect trust-sector governance or intersect with non‑bank financial services.
On 8 October 2026, with authorization from H.E. Sok Dara (Director General of the Trust Regulator), Mr. Chhem Leap Heng (Deputy Director, Department of Legal Affairs and Inspection) and Mr. Sary Putrangsey (Head of Legal Division) attended a session of the MEF Legal Reform Working Group chaired by H.E. Dr. Hel Chamroeun. The meeting reviewed four agenda items: the MEF legislative plan, the MEF legal reform plan, designation of legal professional positions within the ministry, and progress on drafting two sub-decrees related to financial measures and pecuniary liability. Attendees included senior officials from MEF general departments, units under the Non‑Bank Financial Services Authority, and other entities under MEF supervision.
Scope of Application
The items under review relate to regulatory instruments that apply across MEF-managed portfolios and to entities supervised or regulated through MEF channels, including non‑bank financial service units and the trust sector. Discussion participants represented general departments within MEF, regulators and units under the Non‑Bank Financial Services Authority, and other MEF-supervised bodies that may be affected by any finalized sub-decrees.
Key Provisions or Decisions
Meeting deliberations focused on four defined areas: (1) the Ministry’s legislative plan that sets priorities for drafting and amending laws; (2) the Ministry’s legal reform plan for coordinating regulatory updates; (3) the formal designation and professional classification of legal affairs positions inside the ministry; and (4) the reported drafting progress of two sub-decrees addressing specified financial measures and pecuniary liability. The session was convened for review and discussion of those agenda items rather than for formal adoption of instruments.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
Stakeholders in the trust and non‑bank financial sectors should monitor the MEF legislative and legal reform plans because finalized sub-decrees will define specific regulatory obligations and compliance requirements. The formal identification of legal professional positions within MEF can affect internal administrative responsibilities for drafting, implementing, and supervising future regulatory instruments.
Official Source
Primary source: Trust Regulator Facebook post (8 October 2026): source post. Additional official channels referenced by the Trust Regulator: https://www.trustregulator.gov.kh, https://t.me/trustregulator, https://bit.ly/trustregulator.
