The Royal Group Explained

The Royal Group
Type:Conglomerate (company)
Location:Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Founder:Neak Oknha Kith Meng

The Royal Group, based in Phnom Penh, is Cambodia's largest diversified conglomerate and holding company with investments in various industries in the country including telecommunication, media, banking, insurance, resorts, education, property, trading and agriculture.[1]

History

Royal Group Cambodia Co Ltd was established as a general trading company operating out of Australia in 1989. It was incorporated in Cambodia in 1990. In the nineties, the company created strong links with the UNTAC. It became the sole distributor of Canon products and Bell Helicopter in Cambodia, and obtained the distribution of Motorola products in the country. MobiTel was established through a partnership with Australia and New Zealand Banking Group. The Royal Group got exclusive rights for HBO, Cinemax and the Disney Channels in Cambodia. A joint venture with QSR Brands, which operates KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants all across Asia, brought the first international fastfood chain to Cambodia. Infinity Insurance was established.[2]

In 2008, the Royal Group was granted a 99-year concession to develop Koh Rong island. In 2016, the local authorities ordered to stop the construction of the port because the Royal Group did not have the proper permits to operate.[3] In January 2016, the same happened with a jetty at O'Tres Beach in Koh Rong.[4]

Investment

Controversies

In June 2011, a leaked American diplomatic cable called Royal Group's CEO Kith meng a "relatively young and ruthless gangster," and stated that he was "notorious for using his bodyguards to coerce others into brokering deals."[11] Royal Group has received particular criticism regarding environmental issues in Cambodia, most prominently illegal logging in protected areas,[12] displacing indigenous and destroying rural villages, and harming fishing grounds for hydroelectric projects without compensation or proper environmental assessment reports.[13] Villagers have reported being afraid to speak out due to fears that Royal Group would have them killed, saying that local military and police were watching them at the behest of the conglomerate.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Who we are. Royalgroup.com.kh. 2016-07-10.
  2. Web site: Milestones. Royalgroup.com.kh. 2016-07-10.
  3. Web site: Gov't halts building of Koh Rong island port. Phnompenhpost.com. 15 June 2016. Mech Dara. 2016-07-10.
  4. Web site: Royal Group Ordered to Dismantle Jetty on O'Tres Beach. Cambodiadaily.com. 22 January 2016. Khuon Narim. 2016-07-10.
  5. Book: The Thaksinization of Thailand. McCargo . Duncan. Pathmanand. Ukrist. NIAS Studies in Contemporary Asian History. Copenhagen. NIAS Press. 2004. 52. 978-87-91114-46-5. 2 July 2011.
  6. Web site: Camlife moving forward for Cambodians. Phnompenhpost.com. 24 June 2016. 2016-07-10.
  7. News: Pol Pot Victims From Killing Fields Plan Resorts by Angkor Wat. https://web.archive.org/web/20121105170930/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=nw&pname=mm_1008_story3.html. dead. 5 November 2012. Lee. Yoomlin. Ismail. Netty. Bloomberg. 27 August 2008. 2 July 2011.
  8. Web site: Royal buys out One TV to focus on distribution. Phnompenhpost.com. 28 March 2016. Kali Kotoski. 2016-07-10.
  9. News: Cambodia Conglomerate, The Royal Group, Planning to Develop the Island of Koh Rong into an Ecologically Sustainable Resort Rivaling Destinations like Phuket and Bali. Hotel Online. 19 May 2010. 1 July 2011. 9 October 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111009203354/http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2010_2nd/May10_EcoIsland.html. dead.
  10. Web site: Russian firm exploring potential rail deal . Phnompenhpost.com. 29 March 2016. Cheng Sokhorng. 2016-07-10.
  11. News: Post Staff . July 13, 2011 . Cambodia's Top 10 Tycoons . live . Phnom Penh Post.
  12. News: Cochrane . Liam . May 17, 2017 . ANZ's partner in Cambodia accused by police of illegal logging . live . ABC News.
  13. News: Denton . Jenny . October 18, 2017 . 'If it's going to kill us, OK, we'll die': Villagers stand firm as Cambodian dam begins to fill . live . Monga Bay.
  14. News: Flynn . Gerry . August 22, 2023 . Cambodian conglomerate sparks conflict in Botum Sakor National Park . live . Monga Bay.

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