Cambodian conglomerate and holding company
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.
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.
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. In January 2016, the same happened with a jetty at O'Tres Beach in Koh Rong.
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." Royal Group has received particular criticism regarding environmental issues in Cambodia, most prominently illegal logging in protected areas, displacing indigenous and destroying rural villages, and harming fishing grounds for hydroelectric projects without compensation or proper environmental assessment reports. 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.
References.
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