AKP Phnom Penh, June 02, 2025 --

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Cambodia Office hosted a Pre-Departure Orientation for selected government officials, ahead of their participation in the third-year training course of the “Capacity Building for Intellectual Property and Patent Recognition Program (PRP) System in Cambodia (2023–2025).”  

The training will take place in the Republic of Korea from June 8 to 21, 2025, as part of KOICA’s broader cooperation with Cambodia to strengthen its economic foundation through human resource development, with a focus on innovation and intellectual property rights, said KOICA in a news release on June 2.

The selected Cambodian government officials are from the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation (MISTI) and the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), the source pointed out. 
Following the first and second-year trainings, it continued, this year’s programme will host 15 participants who will receive practical training on trademarks and geographical indications (GIs), design, and strategies for commercialisation and management of technologies. The programme aims to enhance Cambodia’s capacity in intellectual property (IP) creation and utilisation, thereby supporting sustainable economic growth and the generation of new opportunities through the effective protection and application of IP.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Sejin Lee, Deputy Country Director of the KOICA Cambodia Office, congratulated the selected participants and emphasised that the training was designed in response to Cambodia’s growing need for progress in the IP sector. She stated that the initiative reflects the Korean government’s strong commitment to supporting Cambodia’s socio-economic development by strengthening human resources in this key area.

 Ms. Lee also noted that KOICA’s cooperation with Cambodia extends beyond IP to various sectors including public health, education, and agriculture. Since 1994, KOICA has been providing both short-term training and master’s degree programmes through its Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow (CIAT) programme to Cambodian government officials across a wide range of sectors.

During the orientation, KOICA staff provided an overview of the fellowship programme, practical tips for staying in Korea, and key program guidelines to help ensure a safe and productive learning experience.

H.E. PICH Ang, Chairman of the Commercial Law Working Group and Member of the Council of Jurists at the Office of the Council of Ministers, also joined the orientation as an alumnus of the 2024 programme. He shared his reflections on how the training had contributed to his professional responsibilities and offered practical advice and encouragement based on his own experiences living and studying in Korea.

Representatives from MISTI and MoC presented the Country Report, outlining the current status of Cambodia’s IP system, including its governance structure, key gaps such as the absence of a national IP strategy, and the urgent need to strengthen local expertise. The report also identified priority tasks such as introducing an IP agent system, fostering IP-based startups, and increasing public awareness to support long-term development in the field.

The selected participants expressed their sincere gratitude to KOICA and the Government of the Republic of Korea, showing strong enthusiasm and commitment to enhancing their professional expertise in intellectual property and the patent recognition programme.

AKP