Phnom Penh, 24 December, 2024-The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) today hosted the 4th Annual Forum on Technology Transfer, focusing on "Technology Commercialization: Bridging Innovative Technologies and Market Opportunities in Cambodia." This forum supports Cambodia’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Roadmap 2030 and the Royal Government’s Pentagonal Strategy-Phase I for socio-economic development.

This year's forum discussed policy frameworks and support mechanisms necessary for promoting technology development and to foster collaboration between government, industry, and academia to drive commercialization efforts. The forum has attracted 150 participants, including government officials, industry leaders, researchers, university students, investors, and international organizations.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Dr. Hul Seingheng, Undersecretary of State at MISTI, stated that, "This forum is a pivotal exploration of the mechanisms for technology commercialization within the Cambodian context, focusing on building a robust ecosystem that includes the National Innovation System (NIS), Research & Development, and innovative technologies. MISTI organized this forum to share knowledge, recommend policies, address challenges, and propose solutions. We aim to foster collaboration among participants and galvanize them to become integral components of this transformative system."

“Researchers, including master’s and PhD students are vital resources. Their understanding of technology transfer is crucial, as it empowers them to translate their research findings into commercial ventures,” added H.E. Dr. Hul Seingheng. “This ability to bridge the gap between academia and industry is at the heart of Cambodia’s STI Roadmap 2030. By encouraging these students to engage in understanding industrial needs and technology commercialization, we are fostering a new generation of innovators who will drive economic growth and address both local and global challenges. Their contributions are essential in building a robust National Innovation System (NIS) and achieving the goals outlined in Cambodia’s STI Roadmap 2030.”

The forum also delved into intellectual property protection alongside advancing technology commercialization, focusing on transforming research and innovations into scalable, market-ready solutions to drive economic growth and strengthen global integration.

Dr. Srun Pagnarith, Deputy Director of MISTI’s General Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, emphasized the critical importance of technology commercialization for Cambodia's socio-economic development. 

"Technology commercialization is not just crucial; it is the bedrock of our nation's vision for growth. Over the past several decades, more than 100 middle-income economies have endeavored to transition to high-income status, often measured by a GDP per capita of around 14,000 USD. However, fewer than half have succeeded, while many remain mired in the 'middle-income trap," he said.

He further stressed, "Empirical evidence shows that the most effective path to overcoming this challenge and achieving this narrow corridor lies in fostering innovation through technology commercialization. Even oil-based economies such as the United Arab Emirates have successfully transitioned to high-income status by integrating technology-driven industries into its economy, underscoring the transformative power of innovation-led growth."

Over recent years, Cambodia has made significant progress towards economic diversification and technological innovation. The inaugural forum in 2021 laid the groundwork by exploring the importance of technology transfer and establishing a framework for policy. The second forum in 2022 focused on readiness for technology adoption among SMEs, highlighting the need for skills development and capacity building for Industry 4.0. Last year's forum identified challenges and opportunities in Cambodia's tech startup ecosystem and showcased successful models of technology transfer.