AKP Phnom Penh, December 18, 2018 --

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFA-IC), in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat, and with the support from the Mission of the Peoples’ Republic of China to ASEAN, successfully hosted the ASEAN-China Young Entrepreneur Forum in Siem Reap province on Dec. 17-18, 2018.

According to an MFA-IC’s press release issued this evening, themed “Harnessing Technology and Innovation for Resilient SMEs Development”, the two-day forum is one of the activities to celebrate the ASEAN-China “Year of Innovation 2018” and mark the 15th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership.

The Opening Ceremony was presided over by H.E. Kan Pharidh, Secretary of State and ASEAN SOM Leader of Cambodia, as the high representative of H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of MFA-IC.

Other key dignitaries attended this Opening Ceremony were H.E. Heng Sokkung, Secretary of State for Industry and Handicraft, Ms. Fang Bing, Counsellor of the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN, and H.E. Mr. Pin Prakad, Deputy Governor of Siem Reap province.

More than 100 youth including women entrepreneurs and representatives from all ten ASEAN Member States (AMS), the People’s Republic of China, the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN-China Centre and other relevant stakeholders from Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs) attended this Forum.

This two-day event engendered greater awareness on the important role of technology and innovation for SMEs Development in AMS and China. Participants actively exchanged views on policies, experiences and best practices, key challenges faced by entrepreneurs and the future innovation for MSMEs in ASEAN and China. It also presented a good opportunity for participants to establish network and cooperation in the fields of their interest.

H.E. Ouk Sorphorn, Under-Secretary of State for MFA-IC, addressed the Closing Ceremony of the Forum, which was concluded with the adoption of key recommendations on how to promote innovation for SMEs development and cooperation.

By C. Nika