PM Hun Manet Seeks Public Input for New SME Support Measures

Prime Minister Hun Manet has invited entrepreneurs and the wider public to help shape a new package of government measures to support Cambodia’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), stating that their feedback will play a key role in addressing business challenges and strengthening domestic production. In a social media post released on Sunday, July 19, Manet said he welcomed suggestions from the public, particularly SME operators, in the spirit of “thinking together and working together” for the country’s shared interests, as the government prepares additional policies to support the sector. The prime minister described SMEs as the vital engine of the Kingdom’s economy, contributing significantly to economic growth and job creation. He noted that successive governments had introduced policies to promote SME development, while the current seventh-mandate Royal Government has continued rolling out new initiatives to encourage business creation and ease operational challenges. He acknowledged that despite progress, a number of structural obstacles remain that require further attention to ensure SMEs become more resilient and competitive. “As Cambodia needs to promote domestic production to substitute imports, the role of SMEs is becoming even more important,” he said. To accelerate the effort, Manet said he had tasked Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth, in his capacity as chairman of the Economic Policy Committee, with leading the preparation of a package of urgent and necessary measures to address challenges facing SMEs while creating stronger incentives for their growth. The prime minister said the committee would study additional policy options designed to help businesses overcome existing barriers and strengthen their contribution to Cambodia’s industrial and economic development. Manet stressed that the government had consistently relied on consultation when formulating economic policies, holding detailed discussions with SME representatives, the private sector and relevant ministries before introducing new measures. Building on that approach, he said the government was now extending the consultation process directly to the public. “In this spirit, to improve the effectiveness of addressing these challenges, I welcome opinions from our citizens, especially those engaged in SMEs, regarding the difficulties they are facing and possible solutions,” Hun Manet wrote. He added that such feedback would serve as valuable input for the government in designing targeted and effective measures to better support the sector. Cambodia is seeking to strengthen domestic manufacturing and expand local production to reduce dependence on imported goods, a priority that has gained greater prominence amid global economic uncertainty and shifting regional supply chains. SMEs make up the overwhelming majority of businesses in the Kingdom and play a central role in employment, income generation and local value creation. They are active across manufacturing, agriculture, trade, tourism, food processing and services, making them a cornerstone of the country’s economic diversification efforts. In recent years, the government has introduced a range of measures to improve the business environment for SMEs, including facilitating access to finance, simplifying business registration, expanding technical support, promoting digital transformation and encouraging greater participation in domestic and international supply chains. Manet’s latest appeal signals that further policy interventions are under consideration, with the government seeking practical recommendations from businesses themselves before finalising the next round of support measures. The move also reflects a more consultative approach to economic policymaking, as Phnom Penh aims to ensure future SME policies respond more directly to challenges experienced by businesses on the ground while reinforcing the sector’s role in driving sustainable economic growth and import substitution.