PHNOM PENH — Nearly 100 outstanding women entrepreneurs from across ASEAN were honored at the 2025 ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN) Awards on November 21, a regional gathering aimed at celebrating women’s leadership and deepening cooperation in business, technology, and innovation.

This year’s 11th AWEN Awards recognized women entrepreneurs from every ASEAN member state, including 16 honorees from Cambodia, 15 from Myanmar, 13 from the Philippines, 12 from Indonesia, 11 from Laos, nine from Singapore, and five from Malaysia.

Several awardees who were unable to travel to Phnom Penh also received their recognitions remotely. The awards typically spotlight around ten entrepreneurs from each member country.

Cambodia hosted the 2025 AWEN gathering, which brought together more than 500 entrepreneurs, policymakers, and business leaders from across the region.

Eng Lykuong, Chair of AWEN and President of the Cambodian Women Entrepreneurs Network (CamWEN), said women-led enterprises remain an engine of economic dynamism but often do not receive the visibility they deserve. She hopes this year’s awards help reaffirm ASEAN’s commitment to gender equity and inclusive development.

Lykuong noted that regional collaboration is crucial for amplifying the talents of individual entrepreneurs and building a stronger collective ecosystem—especially at a time when global attention is focused on ASEAN’s growth trajectory. She added that welcoming Timor-Leste as AWEN’s 11th member marks another milestone in expanding the network’s reach.

“Prosperity grows when we connect with one another—when traditional businesses adopt digital tools, and when bold ideas find the capital they need to scale,” she said.

Cambodia’s Vision for its Entrepreneurial Sector

Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, who also serves as First Vice Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), said AWEN plays an essential role in helping women entrepreneurs forge cross-border partnerships and expand their access to new markets and opportunities.

He said Cambodia is positioning itself as a rising hub for innovation and future-focused industries, citing strong growth in fintech, digital finance, renewable energy, and other sectors tied to the digital economy. These industries, he added, are supported by a favorable investment climate and a maturing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“As of today, the Council for the Development of Cambodia has approved more than 600 high-quality investment projects, reflecting increasing confidence among investors,” Chanthol said.

He also stressed the importance of strengthening support systems in four key areas: expanding cross-border connections through regional forums; improving access to financing, mentorship, and business development tools; promoting inclusive technology and innovation; and empowering women to lead impact-driven enterprises in emerging sectors such as clean energy, responsible agriculture, and social-impact services.

Raising the Profile of Women-Led Enterprises

AWEN 2025 also featured the Pinnacle Entrepreneur Forum (PEF), held under the theme “The World Prospers When We Collaborate: Driving Business, Digital, and Innovation in ASEAN.”

Among the first-time participants was Aun Sokunthea, 60, CEO of Dragon Spray Flames Enterprise. She said the event offered valuable networking opportunities and exposure to new ideas from entrepreneurs across the region.

Sokunthea, a long-time member of CamWEN, expanded her family’s small operation into a registered enterprise in 2010. Her company—based originally in Battambang—produces balm and herbal oils and now employs around 20 workers across its Phnom Penh and Battambang branches.

She said that training programs and access to low-interest loans have become essential for helping women-led SMEs grow.

“My products are used daily, and the training I received helped me improve their quality. I’ve seen many national and international organizations working to support SMEs in different provinces and cities,” she said.

Sokunthea hopes to follow in the footsteps of other successful women entrepreneurs. Strong sales, she said, would not only expand her business but also improve consumer health, promote Cambodian-made products, and benefit the farmers who supply her raw materials.

She considers her enterprise a success because it has continued operating without interruption. Over the years, she has exhibited her products at numerous fairs and received the CEO Master Club Award in 2017.

Looking ahead, she hopes to scale up to a medium-sized enterprise with distribution across all provinces and access to international markets.

“What I hope the government and development partners can do is provide more training so women can strengthen their management skills and knowledge of business law,” she said.

A Growing Regional Network

The ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network was established in 2014 under the ASEAN Committee on Women, beginning with ten member states. It brings together national women’s associations and coalitions that represent women across all economic sectors.

Cambodia, which held the AWEN chairmanship for 2024–2025, formally handed leadership over to Laos for the 2026 cycle.