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Amara Capital announces strategic growth investment in Thalias Hospitality Group

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Amara Capital, a Cambodia licensed fund management company, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to make a strategic growth investment in Thalias Hospitality Group, a leading restaurant and hotel group in Cambodia.

Established since 1997 Thalias Hospitality Group has created some of Phnom Penh’s most renowned restaurants, deli-shops, and bakeries with a mission to deliver excellent food with outstanding hospitality. Founded by CEO Arnaud DARC when Topaz Restaurant opened 25 years ago, the company now extends beyond the walls of its eateries. In addition to creating Malis, Khéma, Go and Siena, Thalias offers operational consulting, runs a multifaceted catering and events business, and has operations in Siem Reap, holds multiple Awards and numerous accolades for its distinctive style of hospitality.  (“Top Asia 100”; “Restaurant of the Year in Cambodia” by the International Travel Expo, “Table Set-Up competition” by the Cambodia Restaurant Association, or “Best Hospitality” by Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism).

Taihei Yamada, Chairman of the investment committee of Amara Capital, said “We are very pleased to work with a highly capable team having long and deep experience operating the hospitality business in Cambodia. We have a high conviction on the growth in the demand for high-end cuisine in Cambodia along with the economic growth of the nation and post-covid tourism recovery. Thalias has been and will be the choice for the growing high-end segment. We are committed to bringing the value to Thalias through the development of governance as well as business and finance strategy.”

“Invest in personal development, promote a meticulous focus on consistency of quality service, and act responsibly in the community, are some of the values that we share with the people of Amara Capital. This agreement is the first step of three that will propel Thalias to realize its vision to be recognized as the first choice for fine food lovers and hospitality in Cambodia. I am confident this partnership will flourish with new opportunities for both our groups.”  Arnaud Darc, CEO of Thalias Hospitality Group said.

About Amara Capital

Amara Capital is a Cambodia-licensed fund management company run by experienced entrepreneurs and investment specialists. Amara offers financial solutions including debt solutions and private equity investment in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and real estate development projects in Cambodia.

With an institutional investor’s fund, Amara offers debt solutions to Cambodian microfinance institutions, leasing companies, and real estate developers. Through the successful partnership, Amara’s debt solution portfolio is projected to grow larger in 2023. Investing as a minority investor, Amara provides Cambodian companies with strategic capital as well as the development of governance, business planning, and financial strategy to pursue sustainable business growth.

Amara aims to become the platform where Cambodian entrepreneurs grow their businesses in a sustainable manner within this rapidly growing environment. For more information, please visit https://www.amaracapital.com.kh/

For Media Inquiry please contact chhoung@amaracapital.com

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Monivann HUN

Chairman of the Board

Mr. Monivann brings with him more than 20 years of professional and business strategy experience, including more than 15 years of experience serving as a company director for various local and international companies. By starting his career as an auditor at Ernst &Young Cambodia, Mr. Monivann later became a Finance Director and Board of Director of Sepakor Angkor Co., Ltd. for 8 years and He spent 9 years serving as a Director & Chairman of the Board of Sathapana MFI and 6 years as a Director and Chairman of Audit Committee of Sathapana Bank Plc.

Currently, Mr. Monivann is an Independent Director and Head of the Audit Committee of Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS), a listed company on the Cambodia Securities Exchange, a Chairman of Mega Leasing Plc., a financial leasing company, a Chairman of MVU Investment Plc., Vice Chairman of CIC Investment Plc., and Vice President of Siem Reap Oddar Meanchey Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Monivann graduated with a Business Degree from Maharishi Vedic University (MVU), Cambodia, in 1997.

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Socheat LIM

Managing Partner

Mr. Socheat, a prominent CPA, has over 20 years of solid professional experience in accounting, finance, and investment. As the CEO of Laksmi Prime Investment, he effectively leverages his business management expertise as a board of directors at various institutions. His strategic input echoes across the boardrooms of key institutions, including a vice chairman of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, vice chair of the Government-Private Sector Working Group. and a board of directors of Mega Leasing Plc.

Before assuming his current roles, Mr. Socheat held pivotal positions at Morison Kak & Associés for 10 years and Leopard Capital, enriching his professional portfolio. His notable contributions to business associations in Cambodia, particularly as a chairman of the Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association, underscore his industry leadership. His areas of expertise include investment and business analysis, corporate finance, asset management, financial modeling, financial due diligence, and accounting.

Mr. Socheat graduated with a Master of Science in Professional Accounting from the University of London (United Kingdom). He also holds an ACCA qualification from the United Kingdom and is a CPA Australia member.

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Taihei YAMADA

Chairman of the Investment Committee

Taihei brings more than 12 years of investment and entrepreneurial experiences. With a strong background in strategy and finance, he serves as a director at multiple companies across various industries including IT startup, hospitality and asset management in both Asia and North America. In Cambodia, he serves as a director at Nham24, the fastest growing and leading food delivery startup, Banhji, the award-winning inclusive fintech startup, and Amber International, the leading small luxury resort developer and operator. Prior to his current responsibilities, he was an investment professional in the private equity division at Norinchukin Bank, one of the largest institutional investors in Japan with more than USD 800 billion in asset.

Taihei holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economic Development from University of California Berkeley and he is also a Certified IPO Professional and Certified M&A Specialist in Japan.

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Lim Chhoung TANG

Partner–Head of Investment

Chhoung possesses over a decade of extensive professional experience in the fields of finance, investment advisory, and private equity fund management. Currently serving as the Partner and Head of Investment at Amara Capital Plc, he plays a pivotal role in all aspects of debt and equity investment, ranging from deal origination to conducting thorough due diligence to executing deals and managing portfolios.

Prior to his current position, Chhoung excelled as an Investment Manager at a Cayman-based fund management firm, managing a USD 50-million fund with investment portfolios spanning across Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Additionally, he has served on corporate board and acted as an investor for various enterprises in Cambodia. Demonstrating his expertise, Chhoung has contributed as both a buy-side and sell-side advisor, facilitating transactions with a cumulative value exceeding USD 100 million. Additionally, he possesses invaluable experience with the Cambodia Securities Exchange, having served as a listing and disclosure manager.

Chhoung’s academic qualification comprise a Master’s Degree in Economics with finance specialization from the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, complemented by a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and English for Communication. Furthermore, he has earned certifications as a Certified Financial Modelling and Valuation Analyst from the Corporate Finance Institute.

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Chhayleang NGUON

Partner

Chhayleang brings with him over 10 years of professional experience in property brokerage, valuation, management, consultancy, and development. Currently, he is the CEO of Pointer Property, a top real estate agency in Cambodia with over 100 sales agents. As a licensed real estate agent and a member of the Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association, he has provided development consultation and sales and marketing support to renowned local and international property developers and led his teams to close deals worth over 100 million dollars. He is motivated by meeting new people and offering property advice. His vision is to see a world where people have access to accurate information and data so that they are empowered to make the right decisions when buying property.

Chhayleang holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Cambodia, and a Bachelor of English Literature from the Institute of Foreign Languages.

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Yoichi SHIRAISHI

Investment Committee Member

Mr. Shiraishi has over 18 years of professional experience in investing in Japanese and North American public companies. He is currently the Chairman of Laksmi Prime Investment Co., Ltd. and he has been the Director of several financial companies in Cambodia, including Bamboo Finance Plc., Trop Khnom Microfinance Plc., Mega Leasing Plc, since 2014. Prior to being involved with the business in Cambodia, he had been working for the investment division of Hikari Tsushin Inc., a company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Now he is the CEO of Snowball Capital Inc., a Japanese investment company.

Mr. Shiraishi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Hitotsubashi University, Japan.

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Yuki KITAGAWA

Investment Committee Member

Mr. Yuki has been working in investment throughout his career. Started off in the investment team of a company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Hikari Tsushin Inc., focusing on the Japanese market. He then went to focus on M&A of software companies within Japan, in Constellation Software Japan Inc., a joint venture between Hikari Tsushin Inc. and Constellation Software Inc., listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. He was a part of the team that conducted the first acquisition in Japan, Rescho Inc. which was a market leader in Electronic Medical Records for Psychiatric Hospitals. He has then moved on to Global Capital Management Inc., a family office, expanding the investment portfolio internationally as well as into real estate.

Yuki grew up in Singapore and went to further studies at International Christian University in Japan.

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Lim Chhoung TANG

Partner–Head of Investment

Chhoung possesses over a decade of extensive professional experience in the fields of finance, investment advisory, and private equity fund management. Currently serving as the Partner and Head of Investment at Amara Capital Plc, he plays a pivotal role in all aspects of debt and equity investment, ranging from deal origination to conducting thorough due diligence to executing deals and managing portfolios.

Prior to his current position, Chhoung excelled as an Investment Manager at a Cayman-based fund management firm, managing a USD 50-million fund with investment portfolios spanning across Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Additionally, he has served on corporate board and acted as an investor for various enterprises in Cambodia. Demonstrating his expertise, Chhoung has contributed as both a buy-side and sell-side advisor, facilitating transactions with a cumulative value exceeding USD 100 million. Additionally, he possesses invaluable experience with the Cambodia Securities Exchange, having served as a listing and disclosure manager.

Chhoung’s academic qualification comprise a Master’s Degree in Economics with finance specialization from the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, complemented by a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and English for Communication. Furthermore, he has earned certifications as a Certified Financial Modelling and Valuation Analyst from the Corporate Finance Institute.

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Kim Soung EUNG

Investment Analyst

Soung possesses an experience in research related to personal finance, behavioral finance, and investment advisory. Before becoming part of Amara Capital, Soung made notable contributions to the publication “Digital Insights: Future of Cities” by sharing her insights on the evolution of financial technology through her article titled “The Role of Fintech in Smart Cities,” which found publication in KAS Cambodia. Soung was also a content writer at Kakcent, a finance-related social platform.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance from Paragon International University in Cambodia and is a CFA candidate.

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Lideth HAY

Investment Manager

Lideth brings over 15 years of extensive experience in finance, banking, and the Cambodian capital market. Before joining Amara Capital, Lideth devoted almost 10 years at the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX) holding the position of Director of the Listing Department where has played a significant role in shaping the Cambodian capital market landscape, showcasing a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and exceptional leadership in the field. His role entails providing consultation to potential listed companies in various areas such as finance, taxation, operations, and corporate governance. He conducted comprehensive evaluations of their business operations, growth potential, and financial performance. His responsibilities encompassed finalizing eligibility assessments, valuations, and offering advice on alternative financing options. He also organized in-house training sessions to prepare companies for  listing on the bourse. He devised strategies to revitalize capital markets and put forth novel listing product proposals. In addition, he spent 5 years as a credit analyst at Acleda Bank, one of the biggest banks in Cambodia.

Lideth holds a Master’s Degree in Finance degree from the National University of Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Norton University.

 

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