Sok Kong

Sok Kong, born in the Prey Veng Province, is a Cambodian businessman, founder of Sokimex.

Biography

Sok Kong's education did not go beyond the third grade. In 1975, he fled to Vietnam from the Khmer Rouge and came back a few years later. Sok Kong started his career in the 1980s with a small rubber business producing motorbike and plastic tires and an initial capital of $100. He created his own rubber mill and signed a deal with the government to manufacture shoes from old tires.^[1]

By 1990, the capital grew up to $100,000. His company started selling gasoline to the government and to UNTAC. In 1994, he opened a garment factory. In 1996, the Cambodian government sold its gasoline storage stations, and Sok Kong acquired them.^[2]

In 1999, Sok Kong acquired the ticketing rights to Angkor Wat.^[1]

Sok Kong has developed Sokimex with his brother Sok Vanna, and in close relation with the Cambodian government. In 2000, opposition leader Sam Rainsy accused Sokimex of being set up with the support of the Vietnamese invading army and that it became the financial pillar for the ruling CPP, thus enjoying unfair advantages over its competition.^[3]

References