Cambodian-American singer and songwriter Laura Mam has been awarded this year’s Arts and Culture prize from the Women of the Future Awards South East Asia. On top of writing and performing an array of hit songs, Mam is the founder of Baramey Production – an artist management and music production company with the goal of supporting original music in Cambodia.

One of six shortlisted candidates in the competition, Mam’s vision for Cambodia’s music industry inspired the judges to select her in the culture category.

“Laura has displayed a systematic approach to building her career, having identified the need for Cambodian original music. She built her own fame, and used that as a platform to drive other artists and music as an industry in Cambodia,” said judges Torie Henderson and Anne Abraham.

"To her, winning success is all about Cambodia’s pride and not about herself.”

In a message to The Post Wednesday, Mam said she dedicated the award to any Cambodians “with a dream for a better future” – while adding that she wanted to “share” the honour with singer Kak Channthy, who passed away early on Tuesday in a traffic accident.

“I am so humbled and proud that I got to bring home an award for Cambodia and I hope it serves as a symbol that Cambodia has so much potential, so many more dreams to complete,” she said.