PHNOM PENH — The Royal Government of Cambodia is upgrading its legal and regulatory standards to improve the domestic business climate, eliminate unnecessary compliance costs, and attract foreign direct investment (FDI).
The initiative was highlighted by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Vongsey Vissoth, Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers (OCM), during a workshop on Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) and Good Regulatory Practice (GRP).
Modernizing the Legal Landscape and Regulatory Standards
Addressing government officials and institutional partners, Vongsey Vissoth stressed that legal reform forms the foundation of Cambodia’s broader institutional and economic modernization agenda.
- Targeted Legislation: The government’s objective is to develop well-crafted, purposeful laws rather than increasing regulatory volume, ensuring regulations are strictly and effectively enforced.
- Minimizing Burdens: Strengthening RIA frameworks aims to prevent overlapping institutional duties, reduce business costs, and eliminate regulatory ambiguities that hinder investor confidence.
- End-to-End Governance (GRP): Implementing Good Regulatory Practice will cover the full regulatory lifecycle—including problem identification, public consultations, impact analysis, legal drafting, and post-implementation reviews.
Institutional Capacity Building and Long-Term Goals
To ensure the sustainable execution of RIA and GRP across all government levels, the Office of the Council of Ministers will conduct structured training programs for line ministries and state agencies.
Vongsey Vissoth identified two core pillars for the reform roadmap: establishing an integrated, coherent legal system aligned with international best practices, and embedding a culture of the rule of law.
Development partners commended the Kingdom’s regulatory push, noting that transparent and predictable legal systems remain central to boosting Cambodia’s long-term economic competitiveness and regional integration.
