[Khmer Times]: The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) Wednesday convened a meeting to review progress on 22 priority actions aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s microfinance sector through responsible lending, enhanced consumer protection and measures to combat illegal lending.

The meeting on ‘Microfinance in Cambodia’ was chaired by Lay Sokheng, Assistant Governor and Director General of Regulation and Financial Inclusion of NBC, and attended by representatives from relevant ministries and institutions in Phnom Penh on July 7.

According to an NBC statement issued on Thursday, participants assessed the implementation of the 22 priority actions and discussed preparations for the fourth high-level multi-stakeholder consultation on ‘Microfinance in Cambodia’, scheduled for August 2026.

The meeting reviewed progress on the agreed measures and exchanged views on additional steps to promote responsible lending, strengthen consumer protection and prevent illegal lending activities.

The 22 priority actions were adopted during the first high-level multi-stakeholder consultation on microfinance in 2024 as a joint commitment by government agencies, financial institutions, development partners and other stakeholders.

The reforms focus on strengthening regulation and supervision, improving borrower protection and financial literacy, enhancing data sharing, curbing illegal lending and expanding insurance and other financial support for vulnerable borrowers.

The initiative supports the implementation of the 2024 Joint Statement between NBC and the United Nations in Cambodia to build a more responsible, inclusive and resilient financial sector.