Manulife Financial Corp. Thursday announced the official opening of its head office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Late last year, the company was granted approval to set up a wholly foreign-owned life insurance operation by the Cambodian government.

“In the month in which we celebrate our 125th global anniversary, we find it so fitting to start this new and exciting chapter, serving the people of Cambodia. We would like to thank the Cambodian government for their great support in making today possible. We look forward to continue working with them to make a success of this great opportunity,” said Bob Cook, senior executive vice president and general manager, Asia.

David Wong, senior vice president and chairman of Manulife (Cambodia) plc, emphasized how important the Cambodian market is to Manulife Asia and how committed Manulife is about this market. “The company sees the potential of Cambodia, with a population of about 15 million and an emerging middle class, as a growth area in the ASEAN countries.”