PHNOM PENH: At the China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF) in Guangzhou, China late last week, Cambodia called for stronger regional collaboration to support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across Asia, according to a news release of the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI) issued this morning.
Representing the Cambodian delegation, H.E. Dr. Nhim Khemara, Permanent Secretary of State at the MISTI, highlighted Cambodia’s growing economic potential and outlined proposals for joint regional initiatives.
“MSMEs are critical actors in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the domains of decent work, economic growth, industrial innovation, and infrastructure development,” said Dr. Nhim Khemara.
He also reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to bilateral and multilateral cooperation, stating, “We firmly believe that Cambodia is well-positioned to become an important contributor to the next wave of regional trade and investment.”
He emphasised the importance of initiatives such as a Regional MSME Innovation Exchange and a Cambodia-China MSME Value Chain Programme to foster technology sharing, capacity building, and access to international markets.
The call coincided with Cambodia’s celebration of the 2nd National MSME Day and follows 37 bilateral agreements signed during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s April 2025 visit to Cambodia.