UNIDO ITPO Tokyo, jointly with UNIDO Cambodia and ASEAN-Japan Center, organized “Webinar on Investment Promotion: Linkages between Cambodian and Japanese Companies” on 23 March 2021.
Mr. Francesco Azzena of UNIDO HQs introduced Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) for Cambodia, which consists of 2 components 1) Agro-value chain development including linkages to tourism sector, and 2) Industrial diversification, innovation and SEZs development. Mr. Azzena mentioned that synergy is created with partner interventions including UN agencies, development partners, financial institutions and the business sector.
Mr. Suon Sophal, Director, Public Relations and Investment Promotion, Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) mentioned that Cambodia received FDI of US$8.25 billion in 2020, 12% decrease from the previous year, while global FDI flows are forecasted to decrease by up to 40% in the same year due to pandemic. Mr. Sophal introduced investment trends by country and the operations of Japanese investors in Cambodia, and mentioned that CDC also focuses on aftercares to existing investors. He added that the new investment law currently under discussion at the Cabinet will offer more attractive incentives for investors.
Mr. Chhy Niroth, Team Leader, Ease of Doing Business Project, Ministry of Economy and Finance introduced the government’s efforts to improve the business climate of Cambodia. The inter-ministry working group established in April 2020 has been working to improve the ranking of Cambodia, which was 144 in the 2020 Report of the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Ranking. As an example, online registration launched in June 2020 has significantly contributed to shortening the days required to process business registrations. Mr. Niroth emphasized that the Cambodia’s ranking is expected to improve in the 2022 Report with various reforms.
Mr. Hiroshi Uematsu, CEO of Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (PPSEZ) mentioned that Cambodia is an ideal destination for investment with the following reasons; 1) political stability, 2) quality investments from Japan are highly welcomed, 3) a new investment law, which offers more incentives to higher value added industries, is expected to take effect in 2021, 4) minimum wage increase is controlled in recent years, and 5) the government is working hard to reduce the electricity tariff and provide stable supply. The outlines of PPSEZ and Poipet PPSEZ (located at the Thai border) were also introduced in details.
Mr. Charles J. Esterhoy III, CEO of Worldbridge Industrial Developments introduced the WBID i4.0 SME Cluster. The WBID i4.0 SME Cluster is a new type of production base, different from the conventional type of industrial zones and SEZs, sector-specific and is designed for SMEs and startups. Mr. Esterhoy emphasized that it will enable highly efficient and transparent operations, as well as production and product development with low cost and low risk. Located 16km from the Phnom Penh city center, WBID i4.0 SME Cluster, which is under construction, is expected to be open and available for investors in November 2021.
Seminar Outline:
Date/Time: 23 March 2021 (Tue) 15:30-17:10 (JST) | 13:30-15:10 (ICT)
Format: Online seminar / Live stream on zoom
Organized by: UNIDO Cambodia
Co-organized by: UNIDO ITPO Tokyo, ASEAN-Japan Center
Languages: English
*To view the presentation slides, click the presentation title in the programme below.
Programme
15:30-15:40 Opening Remarks
Mr. Yuko Yasunaga, Head of UNIDO ITPO Tokyo
15:40-15:45 Welcome Remarks
Mr. Yasushi Ishida, Assistant Director and Head of Trade and Investment Cluster, ASEAN-Japan Centre
15:45-15:55 UNIDO Cambodia and Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) for Investment linkages
Mr. Francesco Azzena, Asia Pacific Division Team, UNIDO Vienna
15:55-16:10 Current investment climate in Cambodia including new investment law
Mr. Suon Sophal, Director, Public Relations and Investment Promotion,
The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC)
16:10-16:20 Doing business in Cambodia: starting a business & online registration
Mr. Chhy Niroth, Team Leader, Ease of Doing Business Project, Ministry of Economy and Finance
16:20-16:40 Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (PPSEZ): conditions, incentives and prospects to engage investments
Mr. Hiroshi Uematsu, CEO of Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (PPSEZ)
16:40-16:50 WorldBridge i4.0 SME Cluster zone: conditions, incentives and prospects to engage investments
Mr. Charles J. Esterhoy III, CEO, Worldbridge Industrial Developments Co., Ltd.
16:50-17:10 Q & A
