Phnom Penh, Cambodia — Cambodia and Japan have unveiled a comprehensive Economic Co-Creation Package aimed at deepening cooperation across key sectors, including trade, human resource development, green energy, logistics, and digital transformation. This multi-dimensional framework reinforces the commitment of both nations to co-develop sustainable and mutually beneficial initiatives through the alignment of government agencies, educational institutions, and private enterprises.
1. Business Missions and Seminars to Enhance Strategic Engagement
The program begins with joint efforts to host business seminars in Japan and Cambodia’s neighboring countries, coordinated by the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). These initiatives also include dispatching Cambodian business missions to Japan and vice versa, promoting trade and investment in priority sectors.
2. Formation of Business Co-Creation Teams (BCT)
Technical cooperation is being extended for the formation of Business Co-Creation Teams to strengthen human capital. The initiative is led by the CDC and supported by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and JETRO. It aims to support innovation and entrepreneurship between both countries.
3. Development of High-Skilled Industrial Human Resources
A major pillar of the package is the development of high-level industrial human resources:
- Through the Cambodia-Japan Digital Manufacturing Center (CJDM) at the Royal University of Phnom Penh.
- Through enhancement of Cambodia’s vocational training (TVET) systems.
- By supporting research collaborations between Cambodian universities and Japanese industries.
- By strengthening business exchange functions at the Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center (CJCC).
- And through a joint Pollution Control Management (PCM) system involving environmental experts.
4. Logistics and Infrastructure Enhancement
To improve cross-border logistics, the two nations will conduct qualitative and quantitative studies of Cambodia’s logistics environment. Other key actions include strengthening railway infrastructure, establishing Mekong logistics discussion forums, and capacity building for Cambodian policymakers in logistics.
5. Green Power and Sustainable Energy Collaboration
The package also supports the development of investment environments for green power projects using frameworks like the Asia Zero Emissions Community (AZEC). Focus areas include:
- Rooftop solar promotion through tariffs and subsidies.
- Renewable energy certificates.
- A roadmap for achieving carbon neutrality.
- Support for decarbonization transition projects.
These initiatives are spearheaded by Cambodia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), with technical guidance from METI, ERIA, and JICA.
6. Building a Digital Economic Society
The cooperation extends to digital transformation through:
- Secure communication infrastructure, including Open RAN demonstration projects.
- Digitization of public administration.
- Cybersecurity measures.
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC) is playing a central role, supported by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), JICA, and other partners.
7. New Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
Both countries will collaborate on the development of new SEZs, including Phnom Penh Autonomous Port SEZ. This initiative is backed by Cambodia’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), and Japan’s MOFA and JICA.
8. OECD and AI Policy Cooperation
In alignment with global governance frameworks, Cambodia and Japan will cooperate through the OECD to improve the investment climate. They also plan co-creation workshops focused on AI toolkits to ensure responsible innovation.
9. Other Capacity-Building Efforts
Additional initiatives include:
- Capacity building for intellectual property rights officials via the Japan Patent Office.
- SME finance support by enhancing credit operations at Cambodia’s SME Bank in collaboration with Japan Finance Corporation and JFC-Micro.
