Interview with Sylvain Ung, Partner, and CFO at Béton Block and Pave, and General Secretary at EuroCham Cambodia

This week, Communications Officer, Vosumtey Seng interviewed Sylvain Ung, Partner, and CFO at Béton Block and Pave, Deputy Secretary General at CCI France Cambodgeand General Secretary at EuroCham Cambodia. Sylvain shared his journey from Bretagne, France, to Cambodia, and discussed his progression at CCI France Cambodge. He began as Vice Treasurer at CCI France Cambodge, later became Treasurer, and now serves as Deputy Secretary General l at CCIFC and General Secretary at EuroCham Cambodia. In his role as Secretary General, Sylvain focuses on strengthening governance, supporting sectorial committees, and advocating for European business interests with the Cambodian government. He also emphasised the importance of passion, efficiency, and building meaningful relationships to balance his various roles.

Sumtey: Can you tell us a bit about your background and what brought you to Cambodia?

Sylvain: Well, I come from Bretagne, a region that is incredibly dear to me. Born in the land of fresh seafood and crêpes, I grew up appreciating both tradition and friendship. My educational journey took me to INSA Rennes, where I studied engineering, and later to Audencia Nantes, where I pursued business studies. This unique combination of technical and business acumen has equipped me with skills that I find invaluable in my professional life today.

I had the privilege of working with renowned French construction companies such as Vinci Construction and EGIS. These experiences laid a strong foundation, but my path naturally shifted towards Finance—a field that I find both fascinating and essential. I developed my financial expertise at BNP Paribas CIB and Deloitte in Paris before making the pivotal decision to move to Cambodia.

Cambodia holds a special place in my heart for many reasons:

On a family level: My father spent several years in Kampong Cham, and this personal connection made Cambodia feel familiar from the start. Upon my arrival, fate led me to meet my current partner, making the country even more meaningful to me.
On a professional level: Cambodia’s economy is in a phase of rapid transformation with steady GDP growth and a sense of progress. The potential for development is substantial, and contributing to this growth is a meaningful and engaging challenge, even though the pace can sometimes be slower than anticipated.
On a spiritual level: Cambodia radiates a unique and positive energy. The people here are filled with motivation, resilience, and a desire to progress. This inspiring environment encourage me and reinforces my commitment to making a difference.

Sumtey: You’ve held several roles at CCI France Cambodge, from Vice Treasurer to your current position as Deputy Secretary General. How has your progression in these roles shaped your contributions, and what key achievements are you most proud of during your tenure?

Sylvain: Throughout my career, I have been committed to expanding my knowledge and expertise in Finance. As I often say, “Finance is Trust.” To me, Finance is a reliable guide—a source of clarity, accuracy, and transparency.

Thanks to the members, I have been elected and my progression at CCIFC has been a natural evolution. I began as Vice Treasurer, a role that gave me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in CCIFC financial operations. Later, I took on the role of Treasurer, where I deepened my understanding of financial governance. Mastering these responsibilities led me to broader governance matters, leading to my current roles as Deputy Secretary General at CCI France Cambodgeand General Secretary at EuroCham Cambodia.

My strong belief, that is giving me this energy, is that Finance and Automation play a crucial role, more particularly on two key levels:

Effective financial management, paired with streamlined processes, can turn any organisation into a competitive powerhouse. This belief fuels my passion for promoting financial literacy among SMEs, helping them build the skills they need to thrive and achieve sustainable growth.
Also, having work closely with SMEs in Cambodia, I’ve witnessed the challenges they face in securing financing. Limited access to financial support can prevent promising businesses from reaching maturity. While Cambodia’s banking sector has evolved significantly, I am hopeful that investment funds will also become more accessible and supportive.

Among my proudest achievements are:

Collaborating with the dedicated teams at CCI France Cambodge and EuroCham has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey. These persons have become trusted friends and essential parts of my professional journey.
Organising new successful events like the Marché Français and the Forum des Affaires have been notable successes, fostering community engagement and business development, where we also strengthened collaboration with French Tech Phnom Penhto support Technologies and Innovation.
Achieving milestones such as maintaining coherent financial statements and implementing internal regulations has strengthened the organisation’s foundation and governance.
Contributing to NGOs like Pour un Sourire d’Enfant (PSE) and Passerelles Numériques Cambodia (PNC) has been fulfilling. Recently, I had the pleasure of designing and teaching a training program for PNC, an experience that reinforced my commitment to education and skill development.

Sumtey: Balancing your role at Béton Block and Pave with leadership commitments at CCI France Cambodge and EuroCham Cambodia is no small feat. What strategies do you use to manage these responsibilities effectively?

Sylvain: Balancing multiple roles requires a combination of discipline, support, and strategic thinking. In both business and life, surrounding yourself with caring and supportive people is crucial. These individuals help you grow, learn, and enhance your abilities. At Béton Block and Pave, and among the organisations I serve, I am fortunate to have found this support.

To manage my responsibilities effectively, I rely on three guiding principles:

Passion: My commitment to these associations is driven by genuine enthusiasm. My time at Deloitte, where long hours were the norm, and my involvement in student associations during my studies have shaped this engagement in me. At the end, it feels all natural.
Automation: After completing a task, I always look for ways to make it more efficient for the future. This approach allows me to focus on more strategic and value-added tasks. Though I could talk about Excel and VBA endlessly, I’ll spare you the details!
Pleasure: Above all, I find joy in the people I meet and the relationships I build. Each interaction is an opportunity to learn and grow, making this journey a rewarding human experience.

Sumtey: EuroCham Cambodia plays a significant role in promoting European business interests in Cambodia. How has your role as Secrétaire général contributed to this mission?

Sylvain: EuroCham’s mission is multifaceted. While it primarily promotes and supports European business interests, its role extends beyond that. It has a full-scope mission that includes gathering first! Of course, it is a place to foster knowledge sharing and provide a legitimate voice for European businesses in Cambodia. To me, EuroCham is a witness to Cambodia’s attractiveness as an investment destination.

As General Secretary, I act as the guardian of EuroCham’s Statutes and Internal Regulations. This role requires ensuring that governance frameworks are respected and effectively implemented. Since the start of the year, we have focused on strengthening and improving the internal regulations to enhance transparency and efficiency.

EuroCham faces significant challenges, in maintaining its advocacy role with the Cambodian government. EuroCham is also composed of 12 Sectorial Committees where I have the pleasure to contribute. These Committees are instrumental in this effort, providing industry-specific insights and ensuring that EuroCham’s voice remains relevant and influential.