PHNOM PNEH: National standards are vital for propelling Cambodia’s exports and enhancing its global trade competitiveness, said H.E. HEM Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) and Chairman of the National Standards Council (NSC). This assertion was made during the NSC’s 28th Meeting held on July 15, as reported by AKP News.

Minister Vanndy underscored the Royal Government’s dedication to developing Cambodia Standards (CS), stating, “National standards are paramount for boosting exports through improved quality, production, and productivity.” He acknowledged the potential perception of standards as burdensome for some businesses but emphasized the NSC’s role in creating strategic national standards to support Cambodian products.

To accelerate standards development, Minister Vanndy urged sectoral committees to establish clear targets, prioritizing standards based on economic sector needs. He highlighted the importance of reviewing and refining existing standards to better suit Cambodia’s context, particularly those adopted from international frameworks.

The meeting resulted in the adoption of the draft Cambodia Standard for Rice Liquor, demonstrating the NSC’s commitment to elevating the quality and marketability of Cambodian products. While recognizing the National Institute of Standards’ role as the coordinating body, Minister Vanndy stressed the collaborative nature of the NSC, emphasizing the contributions of sectoral committees in driving national standards development.

The 28th NSC meeting reaffirms the government’s strategic focus on building a comprehensive standardization framework to propel Cambodia’s growth in both domestic and international markets.

Cambodia’s exports surged in the first half of 2024, reaching US$12.29 billion, a 12.6% increase compared to the same period last year. The United States remained the top destination for Cambodian exports.

Cambodia’s main exports include garments, machinery, electrical equipment, footwear, leather goods, grains, furniture, rubber, fruits, vegetables, pearls, toys, and textiles. The garment, footwear, and travel goods industry remains the country’s leading source of foreign income.