Intean Poalroath Rongroeurng

Intean Poalroath Rongroeurng Ltd. (meaning Credit, Population and Prosperity in Khmer) was founded by two Cambodians, Mr. Oknha Phou Puy and Ms. Hao Simorn, in 2003. It was established as a credit unit of the Federation of Cambodian Rice Millers Associations to alleviate the capital constraints of rice mill entrepreneurs who lacked access to credit to expand their production. In January 2005, the credit unit registered with the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) to become a rural credit operator. In July of the same year, the unit turned into a private limited liability company and officially registered with the Ministry of Commerce under the name “Intean Poalroath Rongroeurng Ltd” (IPR), which means Credit, Popularity and Prosperity in Khmer, and was given the registration number Co. 7896/05 P. The company then received a microfinance institution license, MF 014, from the NBC in August 2005. As MFI funding for rice mills improved over time, IPR turned its focus to small farmers. In 2008, IPR’s MFI license was permanently renewed by the NBC. In 2010, the company’s ownership underwent a significant change. Ms. Hao Simorn transferred the entirety of her shares in IPR with full rights to Mr. Oknha Phou Puy. On December 31st 2010, the Leopard Cambodia Fund, Cambodia’s first private equity fund operated by the international financial group Leopard Capital L.P., bought a minority stake in IPR through the Hong Kong based company IPR (HK) Limited.