Phnom Penh— The Embassy of India in Phnom Penh hosted a special event to mark the celebration of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day at Raffles Hotel Le Royal. The gathering underscored India’s commitment to fostering technical cooperation and strengthening ties with Cambodia through one of its most impactful international development initiatives.
Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI), attended as the Guest of Honour. The event also drew participation from senior Cambodian leaders, including Senior Minister Sry Thamarong; Eat Sophea, Permanent Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Sao Chivoan, Secretary of State for Rural Development and President of the Cambodia-India Alumni Association; Khy Sovanratana, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; and Kuch Panhasa, Secretary of State for Tourism. Over 100 ITEC alumni were also in attendance.
India’s Vision of Global Cooperation
In his keynote address, Ambassador Vanlalvawna Bawitlung highlighted the ITEC programme as a flagship capacity-building platform of India’s Ministry of External Affairs. He noted that since its inception, ITEC has offered more than 12,000 fully funded training opportunities annually across over 120 institutions in India, training more than 225,000 officials from 160 countries. “The guiding philosophy of ITEC is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the belief that the world is one family,” he remarked.
The Ambassador further informed participants about India’s landmark reform of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). He explained that the “next generation GST,” built on a simplified two-tier structure of 5% and 18% (with a 40% de-merit rate for luxury and sin goods), is designed to promote ease of doing business and boost investment. Cambodian businesses, he encouraged, should explore opportunities arising from these reforms.
Cambodia’s Strong Participation in ITEC
Through the ITEC framework, India provides training in diverse areas including IT, banking, administration, and audit. The programme covers airfare, accommodation, and living expenses for selected candidates. Cambodia has been an active partner in this initiative, with nearly 3,000 Cambodians trained to date. In 2024 alone, 294 Cambodian officials benefited from ITEC courses.
Highlighting the human impact of the programme, Ms. Lay Kanika, Deputy Director General at the Ministry of Tourism, shared her personal testimonial on how ITEC training enhanced her skills and professional growth. Her story echoed the broader sentiment of alumni whose careers have been positively shaped by their experience in India.
A Celebration of Friendship
The evening concluded with a vibrant cultural programme, giving guests a glimpse of India’s rich artistic and cultural traditions. More than just a celebration, the event reaffirmed the deepening partnership and enduring friendship between India and Cambodia, rooted in shared values and mutual respect.
