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The WorldBridge Group-owned Cash-U-Up Pawnshop Company on Monday announced the sale of its first franchise as mortgage service trends in Cambodia are showing an increase, according to the company.<\/p>\n
Cash-U-Up, a subsidiary of WorldBridge Group, a company investing in The Bridge and The PEAK construction projects, has been in operation for eight years and expanded to 15 branches.<\/p>\n
Expansion, franchise sales<\/strong><\/p>\n The general manager of Cash-U-Up, Kuch Setha said about 90 per cent of the Kingdom\u2019s pawnshops are in Phnom Penh, so franchise sales will help expand the market\u2019s scope to the provinces.<\/p>\n He said while Cambodians previously had a negative perception of such establishments, the idea of using such services is gradually becoming normal.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the next two years, the company plans to expand to 30 branches, excluding the sale of franchises,\u201d he said, adding that the company plans to sell its franchise in 10 locations.<\/p>\n According to the company\u2019s plans for next year, it will sell its franchise to five operators.<\/p>\n Kuch Setha said to build a successful mortgage business, companies must be professional on the job and in maintaining collaterals.<\/p>\n Keo Nimet, the strategic adviser at Cash-U-Up and a representative of WorldBridge Group, said the Kingdom\u2019s mortgage market is small and has room to grow. He said Cash-U-Up currently provides services to about 5,000 customers across the country.<\/p>\n Nong Piseth, director at the Ministry of Economy and Finance\u2019s Department of Real Estate Business and Pawnshop, said the Kingdom\u2019s mortgage market is still in high demand, adding that the ministry regularly conducts inspections to ensure businesses operate properly.<\/p>\n \u201cRecently, expert officials and I have cooperated with the Ministry of Interior to go through certain companies that have business licenses. As a result, 90 per cent of companies have complied properly with the ministry\u2019s instructions,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n According to data from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the ministry has currently licensed 509 companies as pawn businesses.<\/p>\n