Kith Meng
Kith Meng | |||||||
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 Kith Meng in 2024 | |||||||
| Born | September 1, 1968 | ||||||
| Citizenship |
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| Alma mater | University of Canberra (Economics B.A.) | ||||||
| Occupation | Chairman & CEO of The Royal Group | ||||||
| Years active | 1991–present | ||||||
| Known for | Businessman | ||||||
| Spouse | Mao Chamnan | ||||||
| Children | 4 | ||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 陈丰明 | ||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 陳豐明 | ||||||
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| Website | Royal Group | ||||||
Kith Meng (Khmer: គិត ម៉េង; Chinese: 陈丰明) is the Chairman and CEO of Royal Group of Companies.[1] Established in 1991, Cambodia’s strategic investment holding company, the Royal Group is recognized as the country’s most dynamic and diversified business conglomerate with interests in a wide range of industries.[2][3]
Early life and education
[edit]Meng is the youngest of three sons of Chinese Cambodian businessman Kith Peng Ike. He lived in Kandal Province until 1975 when the advent of the Khmer Rouge regime caused major social upheaval.[4] His family were among those targeted by the Khmer Rouge because of their wealth, ethnicity and socio-economic status. The entire family was sent to a labour camp where, upon arrival, Meng and his two brothers were separated from their parents who later died of starvation.[5] During the confusion resulting from the Vietnamese invasion of Kampuchea, Meng escaped with his older brother Sophan Kith to Phnom Penh, from which they then fled for the refugee camps in Thailand in 1980. In Thailand, Meng later related, “They put us in a pig farm...we slept with the pigs...we no longer existed; we had no state, nothing."[5] Meng then immigrated to Australia settling in Canberra in 1981.[4][6]
Meng studied at Melba High School and then received a degree in economics from Australian National University.[7] He worked several jobs in Canberra including selling Kodak film and then in financial services before returning to Cambodia at the start of the UNTAC administration in the early 1990’s.[4][7]
Meng saw the devastation the war had caused and decided to stay committed to rebuilding the nation.[4]
Career
[edit]In 1991, Meng returned to Cambodia, where he and his older brother Sophan Kith began selling furniture and office supplies to the UN and operated a Canon copiers franchise before establishing The Royal Group.[5] Sophan died in 1994, and Meng took over as head of The Royal Group.[5] Meng forged joint ventures between Cambodian and international companies.[8] Given his dealings in importing telecommunications equipment, this gave him the opportunity in 1996 to partner with Millicom International Cellular SA to jointly own and establish the 1st mobile operator in Cambodia called CamGSM Co. Ltd (Cellcard).[9]
Meng’s strategic partnerships and investments have introduced advanced technologies and business practices to the country, enhancing its global economic integration.[10] Meng’s influence extends across several critical sectors. He has been instrumental in attracting foreign investments, facilitating technological transfers, and promoting economic modernization.[11]
In 2008, Meng unseated Sok Kong as President of Cambodia's Chamber Of Commerce.[8] He was reelected in 2023 for his fifth 3-year term.[12]
Other roles
[edit]- President of the Phnom Penh Chamber of Commerce 2005 - Present[12]
- Chair of ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) 2012 & 2022[13]
- Cambodian Chair at the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC)[14]
- Chairman, GMS Business Council, Cambodia[14]
- Chairman, ACMECS Business Council, Cambodia[15]
- Chair of East Asia Business Council 2022[16]
- Chairman of Lancang-Mekong Business Council[17]
Politics
[edit]
Commentators have compared Meng to other well-known Asian tycoons including Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew and Thailand's Thaksin Shinawatra.[11] However, Meng has downplayed suggestions he may one day stand for Prime Minister, saying, "leave politics to the politicians".[5] Still, Meng often accompanies Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen abroad to help promote Cambodia's economic interests[5] and is a strong supporter of Hun Sen. Meng carries the honorary title of "Neak Oknha", a title bestowed by the Royal Family on those who make contributions of $10,000,000 or more.[4][18]
Philanthropy
[edit]In 2020, Kith Meng and his spouse donated $500,000 to the Cambodian government to fight COVID-19.[19] Meng joined hands in providing donation to the Royal Government of Cambodia to help tackle and support the landmine clearing projects across the Kingdom[20][21] and the annual support towards the Cambodian Red Cross's humanitarian projects[22] and Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital.[23]
Personal life
[edit]Meng is married to Mao Chamnan, and together they have four children —two sons and two daughters.[24]
References
[edit]- ^ Montlake, Simon (2013-04-04). "Cambodia Tycoon To Launch New Airline With Philippine Flag Carrier". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-06-04.
- ^ "Dam in Sesan begins operations". Khmer Times. 17 December 2018.
- ^ Crispin, Shawn W (1 September 2007). "The rise and rise of a Cambodian capitalist". Asia Times. Archived from the original on 4 September 2007. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
- ^ a b c d e Gluckman, Ron (2 November 2008). "Bringing Commerce to Cambodia". Forbes Magazine. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Powell, Sian (21 March 2011). "Royal Connections". The Australian. Archived from the original on 6 April 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
- ^ Bloomberg News (28 August 2008). "From Pol Pot to pot of gold". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ a b Ryan, Colleen (21 February 2005). "Pol Pot refugee now safe as a bank". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
- ^ a b Rann, Reuy (9 August 2011). "Kith Meng re-elected". The Phnom Penh Post. Archived from the original on 6 October 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
- ^ Seth Meixner,"Millicom seals sale of Cambodia operations". phnompenhpost.com. 12 August 2009. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ Fiona Kelliher,"Cambodian Tycoon Companies Starting Approval Process for Dam Projects, Documents Say". voanews.com. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ a b Minder, Raphael Minder (17 August 2008). "Cambodia's Transforming Tycoon". Financial Times. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
- ^ a b Kang Sothear,"Tycoon Kith Meng elected President of PPCC, CCC". khmertimeskh.com. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Neak Oknha Kith Meng invites Australian investors to explore diverse opportunities in Cambodia". khmertimeskh.com. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Cambodia-Malaysia Business Forum 2024". aseanbac.com.my. 27 February 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "ACMECS for Mutual Development". vccinews.com. 15 November 2008. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ Nov Sivutha,"Kingdom-Japan trade groups to step up cooperation". phnompenhpost.com. 20 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "3rd Lancang-Mekong business forum held in Cambodia". china.org.cn. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ Niem Chheng (11 April 2018). "Hun Sen officially launches Kantha Bopha Foundation Cambodia". The Phnom Penh Post.
- ^ "PM thanks tycoon and wife for $25,000,000 donation to fight COVID-19 - Khmer Times". 2020-03-20. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
- ^ Teng Yalirozy,"Cambodian Tycoons Donate for Landmine Clearance". cambodianess.com. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Neak Oknha Kith Meng responds to Prime Minister Hun Sen's for private sector's participation in mine clearance with $1 million contribution". khmertimeskh.co. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ Surya Narayan,""Kith Meng's Generosity Shines with Nearly $1 Million Donation to Cambodian Red Cross"". thebettercambodia.com. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Tycoon Kith Meng and wife show caring sides yet again". khmertimeskh.com. 29 April 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ "Tycoon Kith Meng Weds in Style". khmertimeskh.com. 21 March 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2025.