Kith Meng
| His Excellency Neak Oknha Kith Meng | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
September 1, 1968 Kandal, Cambodia |
| Residence | Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
| Nationality | Cambodian |
| Citizenship | Cambodia, Australia |
| Alma mater | Australian National University (B.A.) |
| Occupation | Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Group |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Known for | Richest man in Cambodia |
| Net worth | US$0.6 billion |
| Religion | Buddhism |
| Spouse(s) | Srey Toch Chamnan |
| Children | 4 |
| Website | |
| Royal Group | |
Kith Meng (Khmer: គិត ម៉េង; born September 1, 1968) is a Cambodian businessman. He is the Chairman of The Royal Group and also owns[1] a majority stake in Cambodia's leading television and telecommunications networks, Cambodian Broadcasting Corporation and CamGSM.[2] Meng is known for his preferences with making joint ventures with international companies to Cambodian companies,[3] and in this particular regard has been likened to Dr Mark Mobious.
Early years
Kith Meng is the youngest of 3 sons of Chinese Cambodian businessman Kith Peng Ike. Kith Meng led a comfortable life in his hometown at Kandal until the Khmer Rouge took over the country in 1975.[4] Kith's family were among those targeted by the Khmer Rouge regime for their wealth and socio-economic status, and their entire family were sent to a labour camp. Upon arrival, Meng and 2 brothers were separated from their parents, who later died of starvation.[5] With his older brother by his side, however, Meng escaped to Phnom Penh, which they then departed for Thailand. In Thailand, Meng states, “they put us in a pig farm... we slept with the pigs... we no longer existed; we had no state, nothing."[5] In 1980, however, Meng and Thieng were found by a fellow family member in a Thai refugee camp, and both brothers immigrated to Australia, where they worked and schooled in the nation's capital, Canberra.
Returning from Australia to Cambodia
In 1991 Meng and Thieng returned to Cambodia,where his older brother Sophan Kith and himself began selling furniture and office supplies to the UN, and operating a Canon copiers franchise, before establishing The Royal Group.[5] Now, Meng is President of Cambodia's Chamber Of Commerce, and carries the honorary title of "Neak Oknha", conferred upon him by the Royal Family.
Politics
Meng's ascent has seen commentators compare him to other well-known Asian tycoons such as Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew and Thailand's Thaksin Shinawatra.[3] However Meng's downplayed suggestions he one day stand for the Prime Ministership, saying, "leave politics to the politicians".[5] Still, Meng often accompany's Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen abroad to help promote Cambodia's economic interests.[5]
References
- ↑ Lee, Yoolim (27 August 2008). Pol Pot Victims From Killing Fields Plan Resorts by Angkor Wat Bloomberg. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
- ↑ Crispin, Shawn W (1 September 2007). "The rise and rise of a Cambodian capitalist". Asia Times. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Minder, Raphael Minder (17 August 2008). "Cambodia's Transforming Tycoon". Financial Times. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
- ↑ Gluckman, Ron (2 November 2008). "Bringing Commerce to Cambodia". Forbes Magazine. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Powell, Sian (21 March 2011). "Royal Connections". The Australian. Retrieved 1 July 2011.