(Phnom Penh): Yesterday, the Government of the United Kingdom and the Royal Government of Cambodia sealed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will guide a three-year collaboration to strengthen Cambodia’s regulatory system through the adoption of Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) practices.
The agreement is part of the UK-ASEAN Economic Integration Programme, managed by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in partnership with the Office of Product Safety and Standards. The programme helps ASEAN members build stronger, evidence-based regulatory frameworks that encourage sustainable growth and cross-border trade.
Through this new initiative, the UK will support Cambodia in embedding RIA into the national policy-making process. By doing so, the country aims to boost investor confidence, streamline business operations, and create a more predictable environment for trade and development.
Titled “Supporting Regulatory Impact Assessment Reform,” the programme will provide Cambodian policymakers with tools to carefully measure the economic, social, and environmental effects of proposed laws and regulations. This approach is expected to reduce unnecessary red tape, ensure laws deliver real benefits, and foster inclusive growth.
British Ambassador to Cambodia, Dominic Williams MBE, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “Helping Cambodia strengthen its regulatory framework is part of the UK’s broader support for the country’s graduation from Least Developed Country status. Effective regulations are the foundation of good governance and a competitive economy. While strong regulation rarely makes news, poor regulation often does—with consequences ranging from financial losses to environmental damage. That is why this work is so critical, and why the UK is proud to be a partner.”
Vongsey Vissoth, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, underlined Cambodia’s commitment: “Regulatory reform is central to building a transparent and investor-friendly environment. This MoU represents an important step in advancing the Royal Government’s reform agenda. It reflects our determination to draft smarter laws, reinforce institutions, and promote predictable governance for sustainable development.”
The partnership demonstrates the UK’s continued commitment to Cambodia’s reform journey while contributing to ASEAN’s wider goal
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