Hong Kong casino operator NagaCorp sees opportunity in Cambodia

"Unlike Macau, which eyes the VIP market, Cambodia’s casinos will likely tap the masses domestically and in mainland China. NagaCorp’s conservative gaming policy pays in today uncertainty: no gearing, maximum table limit of USD50K, regional mid size players and top competitive services", said the CEO of NagaCorp, Tan Sri Chen Lip Keong (TSCLK).

The company is well positioned with no major capital expenditure, low investments costs on NagaWorld, which means competitive complementary hotel, food and beverage and entertainment facilities for players coming in from China and South East Asia.

NagaWorld is planning to increase its marketing pressure on the Indo-China catchment’s areas with strategies attracting more home coming Cambodians and speeding up its Vietnam Ground Program.

Meanwhile the low tax rate continues to allow NagaWorld to devise strategic competitive STG programs. TSCLK also unveiled the company is in talks with operators and other casinos in the regions for potential joint ventures.

Standard & Poor last year affirmed a stable outlook for Cambodia and praised the country’s economic strategies, pragmatic market friendly directions, and fiscal policy with credit strength. S&P also forecasted Cambodia would maintain real GDP growth of 7% in 2009 (latest Cambodian MOEF forecast is 5%) during the downturn.

Although not spared, the world financial turmoil has relatively less impact on a basic agricultural economy like Cambodia, which is receiving continued assistance from China with less dependence on the depressed economies of the US and Japan.

Cambodians returning to their home country continues unabated as a result of political stability at home and unfavorable conditions in the West. "NagaCorp has seen and experienced hardships before, like SARs and the Asia Financial Crisis in 1997. Hopefully 2009 will see a stable outlook for NagaCorp," says TSCLK.