The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) of Cambodia has introduced phased reforms to simplify and digitalize commercial registration procedures, aiming to enhance ease of doing business and accelerate digital transformation...

Issued in July 2026

This article covers important regulations issued by: Ministry of Commerce (MOC)

THIS NEWSLETTER COVERS THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

NOTIFICATION NO. 1755, SIMPLIFICATION OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION – PHASE 2, PRAKAS NO. 044, SIMPLIFICATION OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION – PHASE 2, PRAKAS NO. 117, SIMPLIFICATION OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION

Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce Simplifies Business Registration Procedures

The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) of Cambodia has introduced phased reforms to simplify and digitalize commercial registration procedures, aiming to enhance ease of doing business and accelerate digital transformation. Key changes include eased requirements for appointing company secretaries, standardized business name formats, mandatory annual declarations, enhanced digital portal security, streamlined branch registration, and a fully digital voluntary liquidation process. Non-compliance results in penalties such as fines, blocked filings, and director watchlist. The Ministry urges businesses to comply by January 2027 and offers comprehensive compliance services to assist companies in meeting these new obligations.

Background and Reform Implementation

Reforms rolled out in three phases via Prakas No. 117 (Dec 2025), Prakas No. 044 and Notification No. 1755 (May 2026). Objective is to ease business registration and promote digital transformation. Non-compliance risks include fines, filing blocks, and regulatory watchlist.

Corporate Secretarial & Governance Services

Mandatory appointment and registration of company secretaries by January 2027 for Limited Liability Companies. Removal of previous stringent requirements such as certification, training, formal qualifications, and security deposit. Company Secretaries must reside locally and handle statutory duties including minute management and government correspondence. Failure leads to prosecution, filing blocks on corporate changes, and civil liability for damages.

Standardized Business Name Format & Business Scope

New Parkas requires standardized formats for business names to ensure consistency. Business scopes can be freely selected except for regulated sectors (banking, gaming, mining). Strict criteria and formal approval needed to use “Holding” or “Group” designations involving minimum local subsidiaries and voting shares ownership. Unauthorized or false use causes registration cancellation and legal penalties.

Annual Declaration of Commercial Enterprise (ADCE) & Watchlist

Mandatory online ADCE submission within 3 months before anniversary, with 15-day grace period post-deadline. Penalties include a KHR 2,000,000 fine per year late and classification as inactive after 3 years of default. Directors/shareholders of inactive companies are watchlist, barring access to public services.

MOC Account Recovery & Portal Security

Full digital authentication replaces paper documents; M&A documents now electronically validated using QR codes. Mandatory password resets after platform upgrades; recovery and updates simplified without board resolutions. Loss of portal access risks late filings, fines, and potential cancellation of registration.

Local Branch Registration & Expansion

Branch registration is fully digital with electronic submission by a single authorized director. No longer mandatory to notify MOC of local branch manager changes. Operating unregistered branches risks sanctions, tax penalties, and suspensions.

Digital Voluntary Liquidation & Dissolution Process

Two-step digital procedure requiring submission of intent and resolutions, then tax clearance and audit reports for final deregistration. Abandoning dormant entities without formal deregistration incurs continuous fines, tax liabilities, and director watchlist.

Compliance Support Services

Firm offers outsourced company secretary services, ADCE filing and watchlist removal, holding/group restructuring, portal account recovery, branch registration, and voluntary liquidation services to ensure statutory compliance.

This structured overview helps businesses understand Cambodia’s regulatory updates and prepare for mandatory compliance before the January 2027 deadline.