On February 25-26, 2024, the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) organized its Annual Review 2024 and 2025 Planning Conference at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel & Residence. The conference was attended by MISTI's management and civil servants, including bureau chiefs, directors of all 25 capital-provincial departments, chairmen of the Board of Directors of the water supply authorities, general directors of the 11 water supply authorities, as well as leaders and representatives of relevant ministries and institutions, totaling approximately 600 participants.

• On the first day of the conference (February 25, 2025), H.E. Dr. Nhim Khemara, Permanent Secretary of State, delivered welcome remarks and reported on some key results MISTI achieved in 2024, as follows:

1. Industrial Sector: As of the end of 2024, Cambodia had 2,425 large-scale factories in operation, of which 326 were newly established and 26 closed, providing 1,160,181 job opportunities (73.68% female), an increase of 11.52% compared to 2023. Total investment capital was recorded at USD 20.456 billion, an increase of USD 1.890 billion, equivalent to 10.18% compared to 2023.
2. SMEs and Handicrafts Sector: As of the end of 2024, there were a total of 43,970 small and medium-sized enterprises and handicrafts employing 476,223 workers. In 2024, MISTI registered 1,292 new enterprises, issued 1,052 operating certificates, and 1,338 certificates of continued operation, creating 25,833 new jobs.
3. Standardization, Technical Regulations, and Conformity Assessment: Fifty-five new standards were approved as national standards, bringing the total number of Cambodian standards to 1,132. MISTI also issued certificates of conformity for products, production management systems, and service management systems in accordance with Cambodian standards.
4. Metrology: MISTI carried out metrological work, achieving the following results: 1,097 metrological equipment calibrations for companies, factories, enterprises, and organizations; 710 metrology certificates issued; and 63 operational standard certificates granted.
5. Accreditation: Two accreditation certificates were issued to laboratories complying with the international standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017. Twenty conformity assessment service providers were granted conformity assessment body registration certificates, and 11 laboratories in Cambodia were granted accreditation certificates.
6. Science, Technology, and Innovation National Laboratory (STINL): STINL was transformed into a public administration institution to develop it into a leading national laboratory that enhances innovation and ensures the quality of analytical tests with accuracy, trust, and international recognition. This transformation aims to improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises and promote Cambodian exports. In 2024, STINL provided a total of 11,018 product quality analysis services.
7. Water Supply: MISTI continued strengthening the management and development of the water supply sector and encouraging private sector participation in investment. This effort aims to meet public demand and supply water to priority areas such as special economic zones, SME parks, and economic hubs, contributing to national economic growth. In 2024, the volume of water produced and supplied totaled more than 530 million cubic meters, an increase of approximately 68 million cubic meters (14.9%) compared to 2023. By the end of 2024, public utilities and private water operators had connected 1,440,913 customers, an increase of 133,103 connections (10.2%) compared to 2023.
8. Science, Technology, and Innovation: MISTI launched policies for the development of the science, technology, and innovation (STI) sector, focusing on preparing and implementing the national research agenda, building an innovation ecosystem, and other key documents to support the sector. The Ministry also organized the 2nd National Science, Technology, and Innovation Day alongside a Technology, Industrial Equipment, and Science Fair. Additionally, MISTI hosted the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology, and Innovation (AMMSTI-20), the 85th ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology, and Innovation (COSTI-85), and the “ASEAN Plus Three Junior Science Odyssey” program under the theme “Racing Up Against Climate Change” in Siem Reap.
9. National Institute of Science, Technology, and Innovation (NISTI): NISTI has set a strategy for developing the science, technology, and innovation sector by promoting study, research, and the adoption of technology and innovation to serve cross-sectoral industries, particularly Industry 4.0 and next-generation industries.
10. Informal Economy Development: MISTI led and coordinated the preparation of action plans, key indicators, and roles for various stakeholders to implement the National Strategy for Developing the Informal Economy 2023-2028. A sub-decree was prepared to facilitate onboarding into the informal economy, and a digital platform was launched under the presidency of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN MANET, Prime Minister of Cambodia, on December 16, 2024. By the end of 2024, 1,185 informal economy actors had been registered, including 168 employees, 159 micro-enterprises, and 858 self-employed individuals. Outreach campaigns were conducted to promote informal economy onboarding.
11. Institutional Strengthening: MISTI continued fostering a mindset among leaders and officials to act as guardians, catalysts, facilitators, and advocates for the private sector. In 2024, MISTI implemented the E-Doc system, reducing paper use and increasing work efficiency. Additionally, the Ministry improved its one-window service office and transformed nine additional units at the general department level into fully delegated budget entities, totaling 34 units.

H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, delivered the opening speech, commending MISTI's 2024 achievements, which resulted from collective efforts, solidarity, and responsibility. He expressed appreciation to all contributors for their dedication.

During the conference, inter-ministerial and institutional representatives participated in a plenary discussion under the theme “Policies, Strategies, and Legal Frameworks to Support Industrialization and Prepare for Cambodia's LDC Graduation by 2029.” Participants were then divided into six discussion groups covering: Promoting manufacturing and industrial backward linkages, Clean water sector priorities for 2030, Strengthening national quality infrastructure and productivity, Building entrepreneurship and MSMEs, Public service reform, digitalization, and data development, Promoting science, technology, innovation, and intellectual property, A subsequent plenary session focused on “Opportunities, Challenges, and Directions by Sector” to identify challenges, share feedback, and improve implementation strategies for 2025.

A subsequent plenary session focused on “Opportunities, Challenges, and Directions by Sector” to identify challenges, share feedback, and improve implementation strategies for 2025.

Day 2 of the conference (February 26, 2025) In the morning: H.E. Vongsey Vissoth, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, Esteemed Representative of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN MANET, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, presided over the closing ceremony of the MSITI Annual Review 2024 and 2025 Planning Conference .

 

H.E. Minister Hem Vanndy highlighted key aspects of 2024, including challenges and strategic directions, emphasizing industrial diversification to support Cambodia's successful LDC graduation by 2029. MISTI outlined seven strategic directions:

1. Diversifying Cambodia’s industrial sector into a highly productive industry
2. Developing and modernizing MSMEs and handicrafts
3. Strengthening national quality infrastructure implementation
4. Enhancing water supply sector management and development
5. Promoting science, technology, and innovation for public and private sector growth
6. Developing the informal economy to transition into the formal sector
7. Strengthening and improving institutional capacity at MISTI

 

The conference received high-level recommendations from H.E. Vongsy Vissoth, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, to guide MISTI’s implementation and contribute to the Royal Government’s socio-economic development goals, including:

1. Strengthening and promoting industrial development, MSMEs, and handicrafts:
   a) Diversify Cambodia’s industry from labor-intensive to skills- and knowledge-based industries by integrating into global value chains, enhancing industrial productivity, and ensuring competitiveness.
   b) Promote domestic production and supply chains to reduce reliance on imported inputs, create high-value industries, and generate employment.
   c) Develop legal frameworks to support sectoral growth, improve compliance, and enhance the business environment.
   d) Establish SME clusters to address urbanization challenges and attract technology-sector investors, fostering linkages between SMEs and FDI-based companies.
   e) Strengthen technical capacity, safety standards, and green industry initiatives.
   f) Preserve and develop Kampot-Kep salt fields, ensuring sustainability in line with government measures.

2. Enhancing national quality infrastructure:
   a) Develop national standards to improve product quality and boost exports.
   b) Elevate Cambodia’s membership to full status in ISO and Associate Membership in IEC.
   c) Establish certification and conformity assessment systems to meet international standards.
   d) Expand metrological calibration and verification of manufactured and packaged goods.
   e) Develop assessment and recognition schemes, prioritizing key laboratories.
   f) Advance the Science, Technology, and Innovation National Laboratory as a leading analytical hub.

3. Expanding clean water supply nationwide:

   • Implement master plans, accelerate projects, integrate smart technologies, and ensure alignment with the 2030 SDGs.
   • Strengthen inter-agency cooperation for enforcing the Law on Clean Water Management, ensuring quality, safety, sustainability, and affordability.
   • Expedite feasibility studies on regulatory frameworks, licensing, and the Clean Water Development Fund.

4. Developing the informal economy:

   • Expand nationwide dissemination and onboarding efforts.
   • Collaborate with ministries to develop clear benefit packages.
   • Monitor and evaluate action plan implementation for sustainable, inclusive growth.

5. Accelerating legislative development:

   • Expedite the drafting of laws, sub-decrees, Prakas, and legal instruments per Sub-decree No. 170 ANKr.BK (July 23, 2024).

6. Strengthening monitoring and evaluation:

   • Improve oversight of ministry strategies, development plans, and policies.

7. Enhancing local implementation capacity:

   • Capital-provincial and district administrations must strengthen implementation, coordination, reporting, and technical understanding.

8. Supporting government reforms:

   • Promote digital governance, human resource development, and institutional capacity-building.
   • Enhance public service delivery through IT and single-window mechanisms to improve efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.

At the conference’s conclusion, H.E. Vongsy Vissoth awarded outstanding performance medals to 24 leaders and civil servants, while H.E. Minister Hem Vanndy honored an additional 100 officials.

The conference concluded successfully, reviewing achievements in 2024 and setting strategic directions for MISTI in 2025.