Cambodia Strengthens Industrial Skills Development with Japan-Cambodia Cooperation Centers

The Skills Development Fund (SDF) under the Ministry of Economy and Finance, along with colleagues, conducted a study visit and discussion with the Japan-Cambodia Cooperation Center (CJCC) and the Japan-Cambodia Digital Productivity Center (CJDM) in Phnom Penh on September 17, 2026. The objective was to strengthen and expand cooperation in developing industrial engineering and productivity skills in line with international standards, in response to actual labor market demands. During the meeting with CJCC, leaders from both institutions reviewed the progress of past collaborations and discussed skill development projects in special economic zones and new project proposals. Moving forward, CJCC will promote the study of actual needs for productivity enhancement skills and soft skills with the Japan Business Association in Cambodia (JBAC), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), special economic zones, as well as other major business associations and the Cambodia Chamber of SMEs, to precisely meet the demands of foreign investors and domestic enterprises. Separately, in the meeting with CJDM, Mr. Ki Sokkim, Executive Director of SDF, emphasized that 'Promoting Cambodian industry towards the Industry 4.0 era requires a medium to high-level skilled workforce, especially in industrial engineering, to support modern manufacturing sectors.' As a next step, SDF will help connect CJDM to actual market demands to expand training for students, company personnel, and trainers, aiming to ensure supply in terms of both quality and quantity, on a large scale, while also increasing productivity, safety, and added value to the national production chain. Following the discussions, the SDF working group inspected the infrastructure, technological equipment, and training rooms of CJCC and CJDM. This visit is expected to further strengthen the strategic partnership between SDF and its partner institutions, contributing to tangible results in building human capital and promoting the competitive and sustainable growth of Cambodian industry.