AKP Phnom Penh, May 22, 2026 --

The National Consultation Workshop on "Cambodia's Trade Resilience and Competitiveness for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CP-TPP) was concluded with a joint call for action in advancing Cambodia to the next phase of the CP-TPP accession process.

The Trade Policy Advisory Board (TPAB), in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), wrapped up the crucial two-day National Consultation Workshop yesterday.

The workshop aimed to strengthen line ministries' understanding of the CP-TPP agreement, its accession procedures, and its potential economic impacts on Cambodia, while supporting national preparedness through knowledge-sharing, interactive discussions, and legislative gap assessments.

The workshop was presided over by H.E. Prof. Bundit Sapheacha Dr. Sok Siphana, Senior Minister in charge of Special Missions (Multilateral Trade and Economic Affairs), Chairman of TPAB, and Chairman of the CP-TPP Study Working Group.

The workshop convened approximately 80 officials from relevant ministries and institutions, as well as representatives from TPAB and CP-TPP Study Working Group.

Notable participants included H.E. Bundit Sapheacha Dr. Phan Phalla, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Secretary-General of the Economic and Financial Policy Committee; H.E. Tin Ponlok, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Environment and other representatives from line ministries and institutions.

Representing the ADB were Mr. Milan Thomas, Senior Country Economist, and Mr. Julian Clarke, Senior Regional Cooperation Specialist, and their senior team.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Prof. Bundit Sapheacha Dr. Sok Siphana underscored that accession requires strong technical preparation, legal reforms, and institutional capacity building, noting also that global trade is under strain from weakened multilateralism and geopolitical shifts, positioning the CP-TPP as a key instrument for diversification, reform, and preparation for LDC graduation in 2029.

Mr. Thomas and Mr. Clarke also delivered their welcoming speeches emphasising that Cambodia's accession to the CP-TPP is not only a trade policy initiative but also a pathway toward economic reform, transparency, and sustainable growth, and that the workshop would support the Royal Government of Cambodia in identifying responsibilities and guiding future work.

Over the two-day session, participants and ADB experts conducted deep-dive reviews into critical chapters of the agreement such as customs and intellectual property, market access, rules of origin, and e-Commerce.

The final session featured H.E. Prof. Bundit Sapheacha Dr. Sok Siphana and Mr. Clarke, who shared their perspectives on the key takeaways from the workshop and reflected on the direction for Cambodia's CP-TPP accession.

They stressed the importance of sustained coordination, continued technical work, and maintaining momentum to advance the next phase of the accession process.
 

By Chea Vannak