Cambodia Enterprise Innovation Index Guidelines Introduced to Enhance National Innovation Capabilities and Competitiveness

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Phnom Penh, March 3, 2025 – The Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI), in collaboration with the Food Technology, Research and Innovation Platform (FTRIP), introduced the Cambodia Enterprise Innovation Index (CEII) Guidelines as a strategic tool to enhance the national innovation capabilities of businesses, strengthen their competitiveness, and foster economic growth.

In his opening remarks at the workshop on CEII Guidelines on March 3, 2025, Minister Hem Vanndy said, "Enhancing enterprises’ innovation capability presents a new and crucial opportunity to elevate Cambodia's national prestige by improving our position in the Global Innovation Index. This advancement will foster sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth and create a favorable environment for our journey toward innovation-driven development."

Innovation is at the core of green manufacturing, improving resource efficiency and reducing the consumption of scarce resources. It also plays a vital role in human resource developmentt, productivity enhancement and income generation.

H.E. Igor Driesmans, Ambassador of the European Union to the Kingdom of Cambodia, said, "Cambodia has enormous potential to become an innovation-driven economy, supported by its young, dynamic population, rapidly growing digital connectivity, and increasing access to technology, creating a strong foundation for economic transformation."

The CEII Guidelines was developed under the support of the EU-funded CAPFISH-Capture project and implemented by UNIDO. Endorsed by the Science, Technology, and Innovation National Council in August 2024, the guidelines offer a clear and comprehensive framework for assessing the innovation capabilities in enterprises of all sizes across the country.

Highlighting the crucial role of innovation in attracting investment and bolstering economic resilience, Mr. Sok Narin, UNIDO Cambodia Representative, stated, “When there is a better innovation index, a country can be a favorable destination for attracting domestic and international investment. New technologies and innovations can spur job creation and the growth of emerging industries by enhancing efficiency, productivity, and profitability across various sectors.”

The development of the Cambodia Economic Innovation Index (CEII) underscores the Royal Government's commitment to bolstering the nation's innovation ecosystem, in support of national development goals and the aspirations of the Cambodian people. By addressing both innovation inputs and outputs, the CEII provides valuable insights to strengthen resilience, aimed at enhancing governance, expediting industrialization and promoting economic diversification.