Interview with EuroCham Executive Director Martin Brisson
This week Senior Communications Officer Stew Post sat down with EuroCham Executive Director Martin Brisson. With years of experience in the Cambodian business community -- Mr. Brisson served as Executive Director of French Chamber before joining EuroCham -- he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Chamber
Their conversation touched on 2024's achievements in advocacy, networking and membership as well as looking forward to the new year, including the upcoming Annual General Meeting in March.
Stew: Please tell us a little bit about yourself, how you came to be ED at ECC and what your role is in the position.
Martin: First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our members for their support throughout 2024. I wish each of you a prosperous year ahead in 2025.
I’ve had the privilege of leading EuroCham Cambodia for the past two years, following 3.5 years as the Executive Director of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFC) and two years with the French Embassy’s Economic Department.
As Executive Director, I oversee the day-to-day operations of the chamber, manage our talented team, and ensure the implementation of policies set by our Board of Directors. My role also involves representing EuroCham in our interactions with sponsors, embassies, development partners, and the Royal Government of Cambodia.
Stew: A number of legal updates were made in the past year, including laws on logistics, taxes, minimum wage in the GFT sector and digital technology regulations. What do you feel were some of the most meaningful updates and do you see these regulatory trends moving in a positive direction for Cambodian business?
Martin: The new government has generally shown greater openness to feedback from the private sector. It was a privilege to meet with the Prime Minister late last year for instance. That meeting, along with the launch of the bi-annual Cambodia-Europe Public Private Sector Dialogue at the Council for the Development of Cambodia in September 2024, has already yielded tangible progress, particularly in the area of Customs. A follow-up in November and ongoing communication have led to early successes, including a reduction in the number of documents required for customs clearance. While this is just the beginning, I anticipate further advancements in the coming months, with the next Dialogue serving as a key milestone to assess progress.
In other areas, however, there have been setbacks. A notable example is the recent Prakas from the Electricity Authority of Cambodia (No. 233), which establishes compensation rates for rooftop solar (RTS) power systems connected to the national grid. The tariff level risks discouraging the adoption of privately owned solar power for commercial, industrial, and large residential applications, potentially hindering progress in renewable energy.
Since the publication of the White Book 2024 in September 2023, we have received feedback on 46% of the issues raised. Of our 78 recommendations, 4 have been fully addressed, and 8 partially resolved, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our committees and Advocacy department. These figures reflect only those issues resolved through formal measures such as new prakas, laws, or public decisions. Many other topics are currently under discussion, with outcomes anticipated later this year. In this regard, I strongly encourage everyone to follow our advocacy progress in the EuroCham Advocacy Compass website.
Stew: This March, EuroCham's Annual General Meeting and bi-annual elections of a new Board of Directors will be held. What can attendees expect from this yearly gathering and what role does it play in upholding the values and goals of the Chamber?
Martin: Held on March 27th, the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is an important moment for our chamber. This is the opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past year, outline our goals for the future, and engage with our members to ensure their voices shape the direction of our activities through the renewal of the Board of Directors. This AGM will be very special as this will be the first time we held the Board of Directors election online, prior to the AGM, allowing more members to participate, regardless of their location or schedule, ensuring a broader and more representative vote. Holding the vote beforehand also enables us to focus on strategic discussions, updates, and engagement with members rather than logistical voting procedures.
Aside from the usual activity report, financial statements presentation, national chapters update and election, this AGM will mark the launch of the first comprehensive membership satisfaction survey. This initiative aims to gather feedback from members, better understand their needs, and strengthen the chamber's role as a representative and supportive organisation.
Finally, by holding this AGM online in the morning, we free up capacity and time to hold a large-scale free networking for our members in the evening when we will announce the results of the Executive Committee elections. Hoping to see you all there!
Stew: Looking into the new year, what can EuroCham members and the Cambodian business community expect from the Chamber? Are there any key areas of focus that will be prioritised in 2025? As Executive Director, what do you hope to accomplish this year?
Martin: As always, our members can look forward to regular sector-specific breakfast talks, forums, government consultations, training sessions, workshops, publications, and other engagement initiatives in collaboration with our national chapters.
In 2025, however, we will place a stronger emphasis on providing accessible and frequent networking opportunities, particularly for SMEs, through events and committee-led activities. Following a challenging year for our business community in 2024, as reflected in the upcoming Business Pulse results, supporting our members' growth in 2025 remains our highest priority.
A consistent request from our members has been for greater visibility through EuroCham’s communication channels. In response, we are enhancing the accessibility of our platforms, including our weekly newsletter, social media (Facebook, LinkedIn), and Telegram. Additionally, we are developing a new website with this member-focused approach. To be featured in EuroCham’s communication, we invite you to contact our Membership Officer, Léa Galerne, at membership@eurocham-cambodia.org.
I look forward to sharing more details about our plans for 2025 at the upcoming AGM!
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