Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, received here on April 6 a delegation from the Federation of Associations for SMEs of Cambodia (FASMEC), led by Oknha Te Taing Por, Chairman of the Board of the Techo Foundation for SME Development in Cambodia and President of FASMEC.
The meeting took place ahead of the 9th National Day for the Promotion of Cambodian Products, to be observed on April 9 under the theme “Khmer Produce, Khmer Use, Khmer Prosper,” underscoring the role of SME associations in linking local products to markets and strengthening domestic production.
In the meeting, Samdech commended the contributions of the Techo Foundation for SME Development in Cambodia and FASMEC in enhancing domestic production capacity in both quantity and quality, helping reduce reliance on imports and promote the sustainability of locally produced goods.
She also pointed to national campaigns such as “Khmer Can Do,” “Khmer Support Khmer,” and “Made in Cambodia” as key drivers supporting import substitution, supply stability, and the continued resilience of Cambodia’s MSME sector.
Describing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as a “strong backbone” of the national economy, Samdech noted that approximately 750,000 establishments are operating nationwide, providing employment to nearly 3 million people and serving as a vital engine of economic growth.
Samdech further highlighted a positive structural shift in Cambodia’s economy, with industry gradually transitioning from labour-intensive production toward more skills- and technology-driven sectors, in line with the country’s long-term digital transformation agenda.
Samdech stressed that successive Cambodian governments—from Samdech Techo Hun Sen to the current Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet—have consistently prioritised SME development as a central pillar of economic policy.
She encouraged FASMEC to continue advancing innovation, capacity-building, and digital transformation to enhance competitiveness.
Additionally, Samdech further emphasised that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should integrate digital technologies into their operations to effectively adapt to the evolving technological landscape.
Samdech also called for greater efforts and increased investment in building supportive ecosystems to enable MSMEs to innovate, scale up, and remain competitive.
She also underlined the broader role of SME associations, noting that they not only represent the interests of entrepreneurs but also serve as ambassadors of Cambodian products on the international stage, a role she urged them to further strengthen.
For his part, Oknha Te Taing Por expressed appreciation for the opportunity to meet with the National Assembly President and briefed her on FASMEC’s recent progress and ongoing initiatives to support SMEs.
Samdech encouraged continued engagement between SME representatives and relevant National Assembly commissions to explore additional policy measures and practical mechanisms to support business growth, enhance sectoral development, and address emerging challenges faced by enterprises.
Addressing current global and regional challenges, Samdech said geopolitical tensions and energy market volatility continue to affect economic activities, including SMEs. However, she noted that such challenges also present opportunities for Cambodia to strengthen domestic production, enhance economic resilience, and reduce external dependence.
Samdech reaffirmed that strengthening SMEs is essential to safeguarding economic security and ensuring stable domestic supply, adding that improving product quality to meet international standards will be key to boosting Cambodia’s competitiveness in regional and global markets.
