On the morning of 21 July 2022, the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MISTI) hosted an official meeting with GIZ and its working partners to present the progress of ASEAN-German cooperation project “Strengthening Regional Structures for SME Promotion in ASEAN” (ASEAN-SME, Phase I). The project was implemented since 2019 and aimed to strengthen the ASEAN SME Services Center and the National SME Information Centre within the framework of the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for SME Development 2025.

The meeting (i) analyzed the achievements and experiences of the implementation of the project 2019-2022, (ii) gathered recommendations and suggestions from the National Focal Points (NFPs) of ASEAN Access and KhmerSME, and (iii) discussed the upcoming second project phase ASEAN-SME II (10/2022-09/2025). Starting in October 2022 the follow-on project will support the improvement of the effectiveness of promotion structures for cross-border business activities of small and medium-sized enterprises in ASEAN.

This special occasion was presided over by H.E. Kitti Settha Pandita CHAM PRASIDH, Senior Minister; Minister of MISTI. At the meeting, His Excellency Minister expressed his appreciation for the support from the German Government and GIZ through ASEAN-SME and declared his full support in any possible way for its implementation. This includes speedy support on any approval requests and arrangements including providing a free ministry meeting room and exhibition hall for the private sector to use as their classroom to make a bigger impact on their business promotions. He urged the working partners, including business associations to continue to support ASEAN-SME’s work by encouraging its members as well as other line ministries to help sharing the links of both information portals: ASEAN Access (www.aseanaccess.com) and KhmerSME (www.khmersme.gov.kh).

This internal meeting between MISTI and GIZ was also attended by the representatives of the National Focal Points of ASEAN Access; the Cambodian Women Entrepreneurs Association (CWEA), the Young Entrepreneurs Association of Cambodia (YEAC) as well as the Network Partners EuroCham Cambodia, Impact Hub Phnom Penh and SHE Investment.

By KhmerSME
Facebook: KhmerSME
Date: 21 July 2022