Business Registration Simplification Phase Two: Key Reforms Introduced by Prakas No. 044 and Notification No. 1755

June 4, 2026

On 26 May 2026, the Ministry of Commerce (“MOC“) issued Prakas No. 044 and Notification No. 1755 on the Business Registration Simplification Phase Two initiative. These regulations introduce several significant reforms and clarifications while further simplifying key business registration procedures.

The aim is to reduce administrative burden, improve the business registration environment, and support the implementation of initiatives introduced under Prakas No. 117 dated December 9, 2025.

Below are the main highlights of the Phase Two initiative:

1. Shift to digitalized business registration:

• The submission of hard copies of articles of incorporation (“AOI”) and other relevant company documents in connection with business registration or corporate updates is no longer required. In place of the traditional physical official stamp on the AOI, document verification is now conducted through the government online platform, verify.gov.kh, which is used to authenticate and validate the legal validity of the documents.
• The registration of a local branch is now fully integrated into the online business registration portal. In addition, any changes to the branch manager no longer require notification to the MOC.

2. Business objectives requiring prior approval:

• Companies may freely select their business objectives, except where the proposed business activities fall within regulated sectors that require a prior approval-in-principle from the relevant competent authority before registration can be completed with the MOC. Pursuant to Annex 1 of Prakas No. 044, the main regulated sectors are:
  • Banking
  • Telecommunications
  • Tourism
  • Casinos and gambling
  • Non-bank financial services and activities
  • Mining

3. Reduced requirements for the company secretary:

• The requirement for a professional company secretary licensed with the MOC to maintain a security deposit has been removed.
• Any individual may be appointed as a company secretary, except where otherwise restricted by specific statutory provisions.
• The filing and updating of company secretary information must now be done through the MOC online system and is free of charge.

4. Migration of the MOC’s new online system and enhanced business services support

• To improve user support and further enhance the efficiency, security, and stability of the business registration online system, the MOC has officially migrated to a new platform at www.businessregistration.moc.gov.kh.
• All future corporate updates, amendments, and filings of the Annual Declaration of Commercial Enterprise (“ADCE”) must now be conducted exclusively through this new platform. To access the system, users are required to use their existing username and registered email address to reset their password.
• Due to the migration of the MOC business registration online system and the change in the ADCE filing timeline in accordance with Prakas No. 117, a dedicated working group has been established to provide free-of-charge assistance to private-sector users in relation to:
  • ADCE filings
  • Account recovery requests
  • Updates to company information
  • Other issues with the online business registration portal

Users can access this assistance by contacting the MOC hotline at 1266 and pressing 2 or by visiting the MOC during working hours.

5. Abrogation of the dispute resolution mechanism

Chapter 10 of Prakas No. 117, which established a formal complaint mechanism for any shareholder to challenge unauthorized corporate changes that could result in significant losses or prejudice to their rights and interests, has been formally repealed.

These reforms reflect Cambodia’s ongoing commitment to modernizing its regulatory framework and fostering a more attractive investment environment. By simplifying administrative procedures, enhancing regulatory efficiency, and expanding digital public services, the government seeks to facilitate business operations and encourage both domestic and foreign investment.