JCA Strengthens Cooperation with Cambodia in Skills Training, Agriculture and Digital Industry

The Japan-Cambodia Association (JCA) is strengthening its cooperation with Cambodia, by focusing on some priority areas, including the vocational and technical skills training, agricultural development, and the development of the digital industry. The commitment was highlighted during a meeting between Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet and H.E. Takahashi Fumiaki, President of the Japan-Cambodia Association, at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on Aug. 10. During the meeting, H.E. Takahashi Fumiaki briefed the Cambodian Prime Minister on the JCA delegation's ongoing business mission in Cambodia and its efforts to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries. The JCA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the General Department of Administration of the Ministry of Interior aimed at supporting Japanese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in Cambodia. The association is also scheduled to hold discussions with leaders of relevant Cambodian ministries and institutions to explore further areas of cooperation. H.E. Takahashi Fumiaki highlighted the JCA's strong focus on the three priority pillars, namely vocational and technical skills training, agricultural development, and digital industry development. He also outlined JCA’s plans to expand its investment and business activities in Cambodia, including the processing of golden silk and tilapia fish processing to meet domestic demand and explore export opportunities to Japan and other international markets. In the area of human-resource development, the JCA plans to provide training related to beauty care and cosmetics, while also cooperating with Toyota on training automotive maintenance personnel, he said. The JCA further plans to organise a seminar in Japan to promote Cambodia's investment law, investment environment, policy framework and available incentives among Japanese companies, with the aim of encouraging more Japanese investment in Cambodia. In response, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet expressed his appreciation to the JCA for its continued efforts to promote Cambodia's potential and attract Japanese companies to invest in the Kingdom. The Prime Minister welcomed the positive development of cooperation between Cambodia and the JCA, expressing confidence that the partnership would serve as a good model for attracting more Japanese investors to Cambodia in the future. Samdech Thipadei also highlighted the longstanding cooperation between Cambodia and Japan in developing the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port into a regional port and logistics hub. The Premier expressed his hope that, through continued cooperation between the two countries, the Cambodia-Japan Special Economic Zone would take shape and continue to grow in Cambodia in the future. Before concluding the meeting, Samdech Thipadei encouraged the JCA delegation to maintain close discussions and cooperation with relevant Cambodian ministries and institutions to ensure the success of investment projects and bilateral cooperation. By Heng Panha