News on Chen Zhi and Prince Group

 Prince Horology, founded by the Prince Foundation to bring the best of Swiss watchmaking education to Cambodia, is proud to announce that its first batch of six Cambodian students has successfully graduated from a comprehensive two-year micro-mechanics and watchmaking program. The six graduates Somsorya CHOK, Sereyvath LORN, Lihuor SAK, Phanichharath SAMOTH, Theara SEM and Chhunlong UNG, received their certificates at an official ceremony held at Prince Holding Group with their family members and Prince Horology staff present to commemorate the joyous occasion.

Lihuor SAK, Prince Horology Class of 2022, delivered a graduation speech at the ceremony stating, “I would like to thank our instructors at Prince Horology who have worked tirelessly giving their time, effort and selfless contribution. Without your enormous support, we would not have come so far. With the benefit of this intense two-year course providing us with foundational skills, we look forward to joining the industry. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Chairman of Prince Holding Group, Neak Oknha Chen Zhi, as well as Prince Foundation for offering us such a valuable chance to pursue our dreams.” 

“With the industry being virtually non-existent in Cambodia, Prince Horology has stepped in to create the competence base necessary for a strong start,” said Ms. Jessica Thakur, Technical Advisor and Instructor at Prince Horology. “With skilled watchmakers always being in high demand, the future is bright for Prince Horology graduates locally, regionally and internationally.” 

“Through Prince Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Prince Holding Group, we helped launch Prince Horology in 2020 when the Kingdom was going through unprecedented changes,” said Gabriel Tan, Chief Communications Officer of Prince Holding Group. “The school is a wonderful reflection of the perseverance of the Khmer spirit, the synergies of cross-cultural collaboration and the benefits of vocational education that I am sure will continue to inspire and bring people closer from all over the world in the future.”

Prince Horology was founded at the behest of Neak Oknha Chen Zhi, Chairman of Prince Holding Group, who is also a watch aficionado and who has paid keen attention to the institute in his personal capacity. At Prince Horology, students have access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities and are under the tutelage of professional Swiss trained instructors who have over 60 years combined experience in Swiss watchmaking and Swiss watchmaking education, including working in luxury groups such as The Swatch Group and Richemont and the world-famous Watchmakers of Switzerland Training and Educational Program (WOSTEP).

Prince Horology undertook an ambitious challenge to introduce the skills and technology of modern Swiss watchmaking while remaining faithful to the rich tradition and craftsmanship of high-end watchmaking. Thus, making it quite unique when compared with other international watchmaking schools. Its success is bolstered by the fact that Cambodia shares a rich cultural heritage in craftsmanship and artisanal skills.

Currently open to local and international applicants for the next course starting on 9th January 2023, Cambodians benefit from a scholarship program covering tuition, monthly stipend and accommodation allowance. Please kindly contact Prince Horology directly for more information about this unique opportunity at support@princehorology.com

Prince Holding Group, one of Cambodia’s largest business groups, is pleased to announce that it has secured two awards at the 14th Annual Global CSR & ESG Summit & Awards, winning Best Community Programme Award and Best Country Award for Overall CSR Excellence & ESG Award in Cambodia.

Other fellow awardees across the ASEAN region include Maybank Foundation in Malaysia, Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam and PT Astra International TBK in Indonesia. 

Organized by Singapore-based Pinnacle Group International, the Global CSR & ESG Awards seek to recognize outstanding CSR and ESG initiatives within the Asia Pacific region. Prince Holding Group was highlighted for its uninterrupted investments into Cambodia’s economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is our honor to be part of the immense public-private efforts to aid the swift recovery of Cambodia in the past two years as we placed the interests of our employees and consumers as top priorities in overcoming the pandemic,” said Gabriel Tan, Chief Communications Officer at Prince Holding Group. “We worked alongside various stakeholders and will continue to reinvest in educational, healthcare and community causes to contribute to Cambodia’s sustainable development.”

Prince Holding Group’s efforts in driving sustainable development in Cambodia’s real estate, financial services and consumer services sectors, together with the CSR efforts of its philanthropic arm Prince Foundation, have resulted in the Group being recognized for 13 regional and international awards in 2022.

With total assets under management exceeding US$2 billion across various projects in real estate, financial services and consumer services, Prince Holding Group is one of Cambodia’s key business groups. By the end of 2022, Prince Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Group, is set to recruit the second batch of Chen Zhi Scholars as part of a seven-year scholarship programme supporting 400 university students in Cambodia.

Prince Real Estate Group (“Prince Real Estate”) Chen Zhi emerged as the Best Developer and Best Mixed Use Developer at the 7th PropertyGuru Cambodia Property Awards 2022, as the prestigious developer clinched two top awards of the year at the gala event held on August 26 in Sofitel Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Prince Real Estate also bagged the top accolade in the Best Mixed Use Development category and was highly commended in Best Mixed Use Architectural Design for its flagship project, the Prince International Plaza. At the same time, One Tropica was honored under the Best Housing Masterplan Design category.

Chief executive officer Edward Lee noted that the recognition of Prince Real Estate as the Best Developer and Best Mixed-Use Developer of the year is a testament to the strength of its products in meeting the aspirations of Cambodian real estate consumers.

“We are truly honored to be awarded for our dedication to delivering thoughtfully planned developments anchored on our ‘Sustainable and Affordable’ development philosophy,” he said.

He added that as post-pandemic lifestyles are shifting to a new dynamic, demands have changed, and developers need to build products that uplift the community through value creation from the consumers’ perspectives.

Prince International Plaza is the Group’s new mixed development project featuring a tastefully designed shopping mall, Grade 5A offices, and 456 units of luxury condominiums with more than 1,000 parking spaces for occupants and guests.

The new development aims to cater to the needs of a rapidly growing neighborhood located along the Russian Federation Boulevard and at the intersection of three major districts: Toul Kork, Meanchey, and Sen Sok. It is scheduled for a soft launch in December 2022.

The Group is making a foray with exciting development this year, especially with One Tropica, its first luxury borey development meant for mid-upper scale market, located in the Sen Sok District. One Tropica offers seven types of villas: link house, shophouse, single, twin, and queen.

Prince Holding Group’s Chairman, Chen Zhi, bagged a Gold Stevie® Award in the Entrepreneur of the Year – Conglomerates category for the second consecutive year at the prestigious 19th Annual International Business Awards®. The Group also secured Bronze Stevie® Awards for Company of the Year categories and COVID-19 Most Valuable Corporate Response. The Group has secured a record haul of ten awards this year.

Chen Zhi, a Cambodian entrepreneur, is the founder of Prince Holding Group. It is one of the largest business groups in Cambodia, with various units focusing on three core areas: real estate development, financial, and consumer services. He is also the founder of Prince Foundation, a well-known corporate foundation focusing on improving education, healthcare, and community engagement issues through public-private partnerships.

Over the past five years, the Group has collectively invested billions in various projects in Cambodia. The Group has contributed significantly to Cambodia’s anti-epidemic measures in ensuring minimal business interruption for its timely completion of retail, residential and commercial projects across the Kingdom despite the pandemic.

“Chen Zhi has made a huge impact on Cambodia by bringing together executives across many different sectors to take care of the community through affordable housing, Covid-19 vaccinations, educational philanthropy, and learning and employment opportunities for the younger generation,” stated the judging panel.

“Having a vision over 30 years to bring much-needed housing and contributing to a sustainable strategy for Cambodia’s net-zero goals is an admirable goal and a way to bring innovation and prosperity to Cambodia,” said another judging panel.

Chen Zhi is supported by an international senior management team that leads operations across banking (Prince Bank), airlines (Cambodia Airways), real estate (Prince Real Estate and Prince Huan Yu Real Estate,) and investment management (Belt Road Capital and Awesome Investment Group).

“These awards demonstrate our consistency and perseverance as we aim to make a holistic difference in Cambodian society,” said Gabriel Tan, Chief Communications Officer at Prince Holding Group. “All our hard work would not have been possible without the community’s support and the hard work of all of the employees across the member companies within the Group.”

Last year, Chen Zhi also signed off the launch of the Chen Zhi Scholarship. This initiative has seen the Group’s foundation work with the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports and top local universities to launch a US$2 million scholarship program for 400 students over 7 years.

Prince Bank Plc. Chen Zhi is honored to be the Platinum Sponsor of JCI’s Chatomuk “Let’s Plant 2022” project to plant mangrove trees at Trapeang Sangke fishery community, Kampot Province. The event was held in order to build environmental awareness among its members and the public.

Sustainability and the environment form one of the cores of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Prince Bank Plc. Additionally, sports, health, and education are the other CSR cores.

The event is joined by His Excellency Neth Pheaktra, Secretary of State of Ministry of Environment, Mr. Khim Bunlene, National Executive Vice President of JCI Cambodia 2022, and Mr. Chea Kokmeng, Local President of JCI Chaktomuk 2022.

Prince Foundation, Chairman Chen Zhi is a silver sponsor of Malaysia Business Chamber of Cambodia’s (MBCC) charity gala dinner, which successfully raised funds enabling Kampong Speu province to become another landmine-free province in Cambodia.

Launched in response to the national campaign “Samdech Techo Project for Mine Action”, the MBCC charity gala is jointly organized with Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), bringing together 21 corporate sponsors and nearly 500 attendees.

Lieutenant General Hun Manet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, Senior Minister Ly Thuch, First Vice-President of CMAA and president of The Cambodia Wheelchair Basketball Federation (“CWBF”) and H.E. Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim, Ambassador of Malaysia to Cambodia are in attendance as the guests of honour.

The funds will go towards safeguarding lives in Kampong Speu province via demining operations involving a range of local and international stakeholders.

“With a strong foundation having been in Cambodia for more than three decades, we are pleased to contribute to the country not only in terms of business development by promoting Malaysian investment but also by ensuring a safer future for Cambodians,” said Oknha Tan Khee Meng, President of the Malaysian Business Chamber of Cambodia.

“Prince Foundation is pleased to continue its involvement in mine action through this event bringing together both local and international stakeholders. We looking forward to pay our part in building a better, safer Cambodia for all,” said Gabriel Tan, Chief Communications Officer of Prince Holding Group.

Prince Foundation has worked closely with CMAA and is committed to Cambodia’s cause for Landmine Free 2025. In July, the foundation helped to raise awareness through producing call to action and deminers’ interview videos during a visit to Pursat province organized by CMAA and The Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation. Prince Foundation also shows ongoing support to Cambodia’s wheelchair basketball team comprised primarily of landmine victims.

According to a recent US job market outlook report*, an overwhelming majority ― 93% of employers ― stated soft skills play a critical role in their hiring decisions.

In order to boost the career prospects of 20 Chen Zhi Scholars, Prince Foundation, in collaboration with talent development consultancy Grow4Growth, held a three-day soft skills training workshop seeking to accelerate their personal development, financial literacy, and critical thinking skills.

Occurring between July 28-30, the training was in Khmer and English and conducted by well-established local trainers.

On the first day of the training, the university students discovered and developed their potential by improving their self-awareness, realizing their personal goals and finding ways for self-motivation; the second day of the training instilled financial literacy among students so they can successfully manage current and future finances while the last day focused on the development of creative and critical thinking skills that will prepare them for unforeseen issues during their studies.

“The increasingly complex skillsets and mindsets required by the Industrial Revolution 4.0 mean students cannot just rely on strong academic results,” said Gabriel Tan, Chief Communications Officer of Prince Holding Group. “Life-long learning, critical thinking and personal finance skills are increasingly important for university students seeking to secure a good future, and Prince Foundation is pleased to work with Grow4Growth to ensure our scholars are suitably prepared for their future.”

“People capacity development is our mission and we are honored to work with Prince Foundation and the Chen Zhi scholars who have amply demonstrated their passion and potential during the workshops,” said Ms. Kim Tol Tan, Founder & CEO of Grow4Growth Consultant. “We are honored to play our part in shaping the bright futures of these young Cambodians.”

A flagship programme of Prince Foundation (the philanthropic arm of Prince Holding Group), the Chen Zhi Scholarship (named after Neak Oknha Chen Zhi, Chairman of Prince Group) aims to provide both academic support and work experience for students by ensuring they receive a quality education as well as exposure to international work practices.

*ZipRecruiter (https://www.ziprecruiter.com/grad-report), “2022 Job Market Outlook for Grads”
https://www.ziprecruiter.com/grad-report

For the second year in a row, social empowerment continues to be at the heart of Prince Foundation when it bags the Asia Responsible Enterprise Award (AREA) 2022 organized by Enterprise Asia, a non-governmental organization that recognizes entrepreneurship across the region.

Awarded in the Social Empowerment Category through its flagship scholarship programme – the ‘Chen Zhi Scholarship’ initiative, the achievement reflected Prince Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Prince Holding Group’s ongoing efforts in bolstering human capital in Cambodia.

Key Facts on the Chen Zhi Scholarship:

• Total investment of US$2 million for 400 eligible students across seven years.
• Covers full tuition fees, monthly stipends, internship, and employment opportunities.
• Awarded 100 scholars this year, selected from 1,500 applicants.

With a keen focus on education and youth development, the Chen Zhi Scholarship is the key initiative among numerous projects by Prince Holding Group to support capacity building through education.

According to Gabriel Tan, Chief Communications Officer of Prince Holding Group, the scholarship programme is part of the Group’s vision of advancing the Kingdom’s human capital capabilities through public-private partnerships.

“The inception of the Chen Zhi scholarship comes about due to our Chairman’s belief in the power of education to elevate and empower communities. We are honored and humbled that our CSR initiatives continue to receive recognition as we play our part towards building a better future for Cambodia, – said Gabriel Tan.”

Prince Foundation is committed to three pillars: Education and Youth Empowerment, Healthcare, and Community Engagement. Over six years, the Foundation has donated over US$14 million, benefitting the lives of more than half a million Cambodians.

Prince Foundation is proud to have been a sponsor of SGMC & Phillip Bank Golf Funtasia jointly organized by Singapore Medical Center (SGMC) and Phillip Bank.

Held at City Golf Club, the event led to engagement between several Cambodia-based high net-worth individuals raising awareness of healthcare and priority banking offerings for the betterment of Cambodia. At the event, Prince Brewing served fresh craft beers as well.

“Today we are pleased to co-organize the golf event, together with Singapore Medical Centre Cambodia. We hope more Cambodian can benefit from our comprehensive health insurance and financial services” said Mr. Chan Mach, Chief Executive Officer of Phillip Bank.

Mr. Yeong Hock Ming, Sales & Business Development Manager of Singapore Medical Centre Cambodia (SGMC) presented that “SGMC aims to deliver Singaporean standards of medical excellence to Cambodian residents with a focus on a holistic and wellness approach.”

Prince Foundation, Chairman Chen Zhi the charity arm of the Group, aims to promote discussions between stakeholders across the healthcare and corporate sectors together. The core value and work of Prince Foundation is also exhibited during the event.

In conjunction with supporting volleyball and wheelchair basketball, Prince Foundation will continue to use sports as an avenue to boost health awareness and make a difference in Cambodia.

Mr. Ben Cumming, First Secretary at the Australia Embassy, recently visited Prince Horology Vocational Training Center to learn about its progress in human capital development for future watchmakers in Cambodia.

The representative from the Australian Embassy was received by Gabriel Tan, Chief Communications Officer of Prince Holding Group, and Jessica Thakur, an instructor at Prince Horology hailing from Australia who trained in watchmaking in Switzerland.

During the courtesy visit, the high-level official also met with six Cambodian watchmaking students and learned about their aspirations to hone skills for a valuable and internationally sought-after craft. The visit was followed by a luncheon in which the delegations discussed potential business collaboration opportunities with Australian enterprises based in Cambodia.

“I was pleased to learn that Cambodian students are learning from an experienced horology instructor originally from Australia and making a difference to the vocational education landscape in the country,” said Mr. Ben Cumming, First Secretary to Australian Embassy in Cambodia. “It was an instructive visit about a progressive upskilling initiative being imported to nurture Cambodian youths.”

“We welcome the representative from the Australian Embassy to learn more about the training we provide. We are humbled by the opportunity to be able to play a small part towards talent development in the Kingdom and building a better future for Cambodia,” said Gabriel Tan, Chief Communications Officer of Prince Holding Group.

Prince Holding Group, under the leadership of Chairman Chen Zhi, has a keen focus on human capital development to aid economic growth for the Kingdom.