Phnom Penh – On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Maybank’s establishment in Cambodia, the bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation to introduce a new social assistance program, “REACH INDEPENDENCE AND SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP (R.I.S.E),” on Friday night, November 24.

The signing ceremony, attended by Maybank Executive Director Izlyn Ramli and H.E Em Chan Makara, Secretary of State and Secretary-General of the Disability Action Council representing H.E Chea Somethy, Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, marked an important collaboration.

H.E Ouk Maly, Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia, praised the signing of the Memorandum as additional assistance to Cambodia, building on the bank’s existing projects in the country. She expressed gratitude and encouragement to Maybank’s shareholders and management for their ongoing commitment to community support.

R.I.S.E, initiated by the Maybank Foundation in 2014, aims to enhance income opportunities for vulnerable communities, particularly individuals with disabilities, through entrepreneurship training. The program has trained 30,457 participants since its inception, with 25,041 of them being people with disabilities. On average, participants experienced a 280.79% increase in revenue after completing the program.

Operating in five countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and recently launching in Laos and Cambodia, the program began its pilot phase in Cambodia in early November 2023.

In line with the program’s launch, Maybank intends to collaborate with relevant institutions and ministries, including the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, to effectively implement the program and achieve its goals.