AKP Phnom Penh, August 26, 2025 --

The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) and GIZ today concluded the six-year project, “Strengthening Regional Structures for SME Promotion in ASEAN,” celebrating the initiative’s achievements and its role in boosting the competitiveness and regional connectivity of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through digital platforms and cross-border cooperation.

At the closing ceremony, H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of MISTI, said, “Strengthening Regional Structures for SME Promotion in ASEAN is a valuable initiative that connects SMEs to business information and support services, consulting, and business matching through the regional ASEAN ACCESS portal and Cambodia’s national platform, KhmerSME.”

He added that these portals currently serve as important driving forces to contribute to the development of SMEs by linking them to supply chains, encouraging SME clusters, promoting ESG principles, and opening access to regional and international markets.

According to MISTI, the ASEAN-SME project, launched in 2019 with support from the German Government, has expanded beyond its digital platforms to conduct outreach activities, offering support to 1,228 SMEs across eight capital-provinces in Cambodia.

Dr. Matthias Bickel, Country Director of GIZ Cambodia, emphasised that the project had been “working tirelessly to empower SMEs – the very heartbeat of our region’s economy – by improving their market access and international activities, as well as shaping policies and regulatory environment that make them more resilient.”

Reflecting on the partnership, he added, “Today’s gathering stands as proof of the power of partnership. It’s a celebration of what we have accomplished together – and the valuable lessons we have learned that will continue to fuel Cambodia’s MSME ecosystem for years to come.”

Looking forward, Germany reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Cambodia’s MSME development through ongoing bilateral and regional programmes, affirmed MISTI.

AKP