Strengthening Sustainable Industrial Development: Cambodia and UNIDO Collaborate on Eco-Industrial Park
In a significant move towards fostering sustainable industrial growth, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has forged a partnership with the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) in Cambodia to spearhead the development of an eco-industrial park (EIPs).
The core objective of this collaboration is to promote sustainable industrial development by integrating crucial elements such as environmental protection, resource efficiency, and economic prosperity within the industry ecosystem in Cambodia.
The partnership was formalized through discussions held in a meeting on Mar. 26, where Hem Vanndy, Minister of MISTI, engaged with a delegation from UNIDO led by Country Director Sok Narin to strategize the path forward for the creation of the eco-industrial park.
With the approval from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, UNIDO is set to undertake a scoping mission aimed at establishing a green industrial park in Cambodia. The initiative includes ongoing missions led by the head of UNIDO’s Technical Advisor based in Indonesia, who will engage with stakeholders to evaluate potential Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for the implementation of the project.
As part of the project’s development process, consultants will meticulously study 6 to 10 SEZs based on UNIDO’s stringent 64 standards to identify the most suitable SEZ for the implementation of the Green Industrial Park initiative.
The one-year pilot project holds immense promise as a potential model for catalyzing the establishment of green industrial parks across various regions in Cambodia, thereby promoting sustainable industrial practices on a wider scale.
Narin emphasized that the Green Industrial Park project is deeply rooted in incorporating the principles of the circular economy and enhancing resource utilization efficiency. Drawing from UNIDO’s extensive experience in implementing green industrial park projects in seven countries, including Vietnam and Indonesia, they aim to leverage this expertise to drive the success of the project in Cambodia.
Vanndy commended the initiative, highlighting the importance of strategically locating the special economic zone for the pilot project to align with Cambodia’s competitive strengths, thereby ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of the project.
Source: Khmer Times
