Event 1: SME Study Visit for Team member to China

The CISMEF event was held concurrently with the celebration of the 9th United Nations International MSME Day and has become a vital platform for strengthening cooperation among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) regionally and internationally. The delegation participated in the 20th China International Small and Medium Enterprises Fair (CISMEF 2025), held in Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China.

During the event, the Cambodian delegation participated in three key activities:

1. Delivering a keynote speech at the Fair’s opening ceremony.
2. A visit to the CISMEF exhibition, which showcased over 3,500 national and international enterprise booths.
3. A bilateral meeting with H.E. Shan Zhongde, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) of China.

In the opening ceremony, H.E. Dr. Nhim Khemara, Permanent Secretary of State and Project Director delivered a keynote speech reaffirming the Royal Government of Cambodia’s strong commitment to MSME development, promoting industrial innovation, regional economic integration and the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and the People’s Republic of China.Specifically, Cambodia expressed interest in strengthening strategic bilateral cooperation in six points:

1. Organizing an exchange of innovative ideas for MSMEs in the region.
2. Developing more Cambodia-China MSME Value Chain Programs.
3. Promoting joint certification and standardization.
4. Enhancing Quality Infrastructure (QI).
5. Investing in Digital Training Centers.
6. Creating investment opportunities in Green MSMEs.

Event 2: Organisation of the technical business incubation (TBi) for food product development

The Ministry of Industry Science Technology and Innovation (MISTI) organized a dissemination workshop on the “Business Incubation Platform (CBI) Competition for Food Product Development,” focusing on the theme: “Processing Snacks from Fruits and Grains.”

The workshop was attended by a total of 185 people, including Their Excellencies the Secretary of State, Under Secretaries of State, MISTI provincial departments from 25 capital-provinces, professors, food science students from:

• Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP)
• Royal University of Agriculture (RUA)
• National Institute of Agriculture Prek Leap
• Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC)
• Kampong Speu Institute of Technology
• Chea Sim Kamchaymear National University
• Meanchey National University
• Battambang Institute of Technology

The workshop was organized to officially launch the food processing competition program and disseminate information to relevant parties, particularly students, encouraging them to apply.

This activity aims to:

• Guide and promote entrepreneurship in the food sector in Cambodia.
• Provide opportunities to showcase talent, creativity, and new innovations.
• Boost the national agricultural market through the use of local raw materials.

Furthermore, the CBI-FOOD Business Incubation platform will contribute to supporting Pentagonal Strategy – Phase I by continuing and strengthening human resource development with quality, high capacity, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and innovation. It also seeks to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and support the overall goals of the Industrial Development Policy 2015-2025, through which MISTI will continue to promote the construction of a comprehensive Technical Business Incubation (TBI) ecosystem in Cambodia.

During the workshop, the project working group presented detailed procedures and background on the second CBI-FOOD program, which runs from June to October. The program will have four major stages:

• Phase 1: Dissemination, Application, and Selection
• Phase 2: Business Creation and Training
• Phase 3: Semi-Final Competition
• Phase 4: Product Exhibition and the Final Competition (involving 6 teams)

The selection of student teams for the competition will be reviewed and scored by an evaluation committee comprised of representatives from MISTI, Khmer Enterprise, the private food sector, the Cambodia Food Manufacturer Association, and universities. As a result, the students showed positive interest in the program, participating enthusiastically by asking questions about the application process, team formation, business plan preparation, and incentive mechanisms, particularly expressing their commitment to applying for the competition. The workshop concluded smoothly and with great appreciation.