Financial Investment

Cambodia has opened up its investment policies in recent years. In 2019, its GDP growth reached 7.1%, the highest in Southeast Asia. This has attracted a large number of foreign investors and international investment banks to develop in Cambodia and carry out mergers and acquisitions of various sizes. As one of the few enterprises holding a trust license, GC Trust has seized this opportunity to become a bridge between Cambodia and many foreign investors, dedicated to ensuring that trustors can invest with peace of mind under government regulation and legal supervision.

GC Trust is a financial institution legally established under the Kingdom of Cambodia’s “Trust Law” to conduct trust business. Approved by the Cambodian Government and the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC), it is authorized to operate fund trusts, land trusts, real estate trusts, and more, and is a formally licensed trust financial institution in Cambodia. 

Why Use a Trust?

Cambodian Land Transaction Restrictions

Under Cambodia’s current Constitution and “Land Law,” non-Cambodian passport holders or Cambodian companies with less than 51% Cambodian shareholding may only purchase strata titles and cannot obtain permanent land ownership rights. In the past, foreign investors who wished to purchase land or villas often had to rely on nominee arrangements, which involved complicated procedures and were prone to disputes.

Ensuring Transaction Security for Both Parties

As an independent third party, the trust company safeguards the interests and rights of both parties and reduces transaction risks.

Land Nominee/Holding Services

This service is primarily provided for foreign investors, enabling them to obtain investment profits while also receiving legal and secure protection.

Joint Development

Investors may cooperate with landowners through the trust company to ensure that investment funds are used exclusively for the designated project (“earmarked funds”).

Investment Management

After completing a transaction, both local and foreign investors may appoint the trust company as an investment manager, including handling secondary sales, ongoing rental income, or other development solutions.

Land Trading

As a trustee for land transactions, it provides a safe and compliant trading platform for landowners and investors.

Case Studies

Purchasing Land for Asset Appreciation

Mr. Liu has long been engaged in real estate investment. Noticing the Cambodian government’s development direction and its tremendous investment potential, he planned to purchase approximately 10 hectares of land in Siem Reap, a world-renowned tourist destination, for asset appreciation. However, as Mr. Liu does not hold a Cambodian passport, considering regulatory and security concerns, he entrusted the trust company to act as his representative and hold the land, enabling him to enjoy the profits from asset appreciation.

Purchasing Villas for Investment and Rental Income

Mr. Chen is an investor who purchased row villas and detached villas in the upscale Chroy Changvar district of Phnom Penh for investment and vacation use. However, Mr. Chen does not hold a Cambodian passport and therefore cannot legally own land. He also did not have a familiar Cambodian contact to hold the property on his behalf. As a result, he entrusted the trust company and signed an agreement for the company to hold the villas and collect rent on his behalf, achieving safe and legal continuous rental income.

Purchasing Land for Development Purposes

Mr. Wang is a developer who wanted to purchase 3 hectares of land in Cambodia as an investment for hotel development. However, Mr. Wang is a Chinese national and does not hold a Cambodian passport, so he cannot legally own land under Cambodian regulations. He entrusted the trust company to conduct the transaction and hold the land on his behalf, enabling him to legally hold Cambodian land as a foreign national.

Wealth Management: Passing Wealth Down Through Generations

A client has two minor sons and owns three villas: one (A) is for self-occupation, while the other two (B, C) are held as investment rentals. They appointed the trust company as their wealth manager to ensure that, regardless of what happens, the children can inherit the assets. The trust company was also entrusted to manage the rental income of Villas B and C, pay utilities, and provide tax services. It was further specified that once one son gets married, Villa B will be transferred to him after marriage, while the other son will continue to receive rental income from Villa C until he marries and establishes his own family.

GC Land is a brand under the GCC Group and a primary land developer. Land is a precious resource and a cornerstone of the Group. Primary land development is highly challenging, yet it can generate ideal returns for both the Group and investors. At the same time, buyers and partners receive legal protection and well-tailored land parcels for development. As the saying goes, “A towering building rises from the ground.” Our mission is to make effective use of land resources, unlock land potential, inject new value into land, and maximize land value through high-value utilization—thereby creating sound regional development, revitalizing urban functions, increasing public benefit, improving city appearance, and delivering a sustainable and high-quality living environment for people. 

Cambodia’s economy has been growing rapidly, with an average GDP growth rate of 7% for seven consecutive years. Its industrial chain has also climbed quickly, expanding from garments into electronics and automotive parts, becoming the new “Asian Tiger.” Since joining the WTO in 2004, the poverty rate has dropped sharply from 53.2% to around 10%. To strengthen foreign investment, the government has introduced incentives such as allowing 100% foreign ownership and tax exemptions for up to nine years, encouraging foreign capital to actively invest in finance, real estate, manufacturing, telecommunications, and other sectors.

As the first offshore fund focused on Cambodia, GC Fund has earned the trust of many clients through its strong investment network and forward-looking market insight in Cambodia. Its fund products include Cambodia real estate management investment programs and Cambodia real estate development funds. All of the above products entrust independent third parties in Hong Kong as dedicated project managers.

GC Fund: Cambodia’s Leading Professional Asset Management Institution

GC Fund (Cambodia) is a financial company managing substantial assets. Leveraging outstanding professionals and extensive domain expertise, it primarily provides clients with Cambodian real estate and financial investment management services. The Group currently manages approximately USD 500 million in assets, making it one of the most influential financial institutions in the local market.

Since its establishment, GC Fund has provided unique and exceptional services in a rapidly changing business environment, growing into a financial institution with tremendous potential and dedicated to achieving optimal returns for investors. In the future, the Group will continue to develop more diversified investment services, offering more choices to meet the unique needs of every client.