PRESS RELEASE

Mission  Report of H.E. Sok Siphana, Secretary of State to the Executive Forum2001 in Montreux, and to the WTO and UNCTAD, Geneva, Switzerland.

 • Development Policies

 • Cambodia National Data Resource

 • Newsletter

 • Mail

 • Other Link

September 25-29, 2001

Upon the invitation of the International Trade Center (ITC) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, H.E. Sok Siphana, Secretary of State for Commerce led a small delegation to attend the Executive Forum 2001 on National Export Strategies in Montreux, Switzerland. While there he also held several meetings with officials of the WTO and the UNCTAD to discuss matters related to Cambodia's accession to the WTO and the implementation of Cambodia's Pro-Poor Trade Sector Strategy under the Integrated Framework Pilot Schem

I.OUTCOMES OF THE EXECUTIVE FORRUM 2001

Cambodia was given the honor to set the tones for the Conference. 25 countries were represented from across the globe, comprising all developed, developing and LDCs. The experiences of Cambodia trade sector development was highlighted. The national trade sector strategy will depend, to a large extent, on Cambodia's ability to formalize and strengthen its trade support network which is comprised of stakeholders like: consulting firms, packaging design consultants, freight forwarders and shippers, commercial banks and other financial institutions that offer trade credits and guarantees, chambers of commerce, training institutions (universities and business schools), investment promotion agencies, small business development agencies, research and development organizations, overseas commercial representatives, enterprises and professional associations (manufacturer, exporter, and product sector associations), and sector-specific export councils.)

II.WTOACCESSSION PREPARATION

2.1 Preparation of the UNCTAD Mission October 14-25.

He has held a working session with UNCTAD to prepare a mission to assist the Royal Government finalize the WTO documents prior to the 2nd Working Party in early 2002 such as (1) the WTO replies, (2) the tariff of goods offer, (3) the services offer, and (4) the checklists  (agriculture, TBT, SPS, and TRIPS). The mission is crucial for Cambodia to get ready for the accession working party meeting early next year.

2.2 New Technical assistance offered by UNTAD:

Cambodia has secured additional technical assistance in the area of English Language Training for Trade negotiators in London and in the procurement of information technology equipment.

III.FDI RELATED MATTERS

3.1 Preparation for the World Investment Report Seminar with.
  he has also discussed the modalities to organize an investment seminar with UNCTAD and at the same time launch the World Investment Report in Cambodia around mid of October.

3.2 Selection of Cambodia as part of Investment Pilot Scheme.

He has also discussed with UNCTAD and FIAS officials on the selection of Cambodia in Investment Pilot Scheme which came about from the LDC III Brussels Conference last May 2001. Under the pilot scheme like the IF scheme 4 multilateral agencies (MIGA, UNCTAD, UNIDO, and FIAS) will assist 5 pilot countries (Cambodia, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Uganda)  in the investment policy review (focused on sectoral competitiveness analysis), linkage promotion, and preparation of investment guide.

IV.INTEGRATED FRAME WORK

4.1. Follow-up on IF activities by the 6 Agencies (IMF, World Bank, ITC, WTO, UNCTAD, and UNDP)

Meeting was held with Mr. Chiedu Osakwe and Ms. Maika Oshikawa of the WTO on the meeting of the IF Steering Committee meeting in October 11 where a larger audience of donors and LDCs will be present. There is a strong belief that as it stands Cambodia's success on the IF will be crucial for the extension of the IF initiative at the WTO General Council meeting in Doha..

4.2.Support of the International Trade Center (ITC) to implement the Pro-Poor Trade Sector Strategy.

4.2.1 Development of Essential Oils Industry:  
ITC has recently approved the dispatch a team to undertake the development of the essential oils industry as part of a series of initiatives to diversify the agricultural sector and in support of the Pro-Poor Trade Sector Strategy.

4.2.2 Quality Improvement of the Spices Industry:
 ITC is currently implementing a regional programme to upgrade the quality of spices (hot pepper, black pepper, ginger, etc.) in Vietnam and Thailand with funding provided from the Swiss Government. Suggestions have been made to include Cambodia in the scheme as well.

4.2.3 Industry Strategy in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants:  
ITC has also expressed its support to assist Cambodia prepare a special industry strategy in medicinal and aromatic plants which they believe Cambodia has the right climate and soil environment to make it a success. This sub-sector can fetch extremely high value as compared to other agriculture crops.

4.2.4 ITC's Export led Poverty Reduction Programme (EPR):
 ITC has selected 6 countries (Bolivia, Cambodia, Namibia, Madagascar, Peru, and Vietnam) to implement the EPR program focusing on: agricultural products (fresh and processed), textiles, leather and leather products, simple manufactured components, and community-based tourism. The focus of intervention will be support to poor communities in producing export-oriented products (formation of producers' groups, training on entrepreneurial skills, support in the adaptation of products to export market requirements, partnership with microfinance institution to address producers' credit needs).

4.3.Support to the Cambodia IF by the Japanese Government
He has also discussed with the Japanese Permanent Mission in Geneva where Japan has agreed to provide support to train Cambodian officials working at the new Cambodia's Permanent Mission in Geneva. Japan has also stated their support to develop Cambodia's standards, metrology and other Technical Barriers to Trade. He has also held discussions with Jetro to look at a project on frozen vegetables export to Japan which Jetro has successfully implemented in Indonesia.

V.INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

He has also held a brief meeting with a senior WIPO official on the implementation of the WIPONet in Cambodia, and on a series of technical assistance for Cambodia in the area of trademark enforcement (seminar to be held late November) and on Patent and Copyright draft legislation.

* * * * *