Phnom Penh, 9 May 2025: ERIA, in collaboration with Cambodia’s Trade Policy Advisory Board (TPAB), convened a workshop on 9 May 2025 to explore opportunities for Cambodia to develop a semiconductor industry as part of its broader strategy for economic diversification into future-oriented sectors. Traditionally reliant on agriculture, garment manufacturing, and tourism, Cambodia has the potential to harness the semiconductor sector for technological advancement, skill development, high-value job creation, deeper integration into global supply chains, export growth, and innovation.

The event underscored the strategic significance of envisioning a comprehensive Cambodian semiconductor ecosystem. It also identified critical components and potential opportunities across various stages of the value chain. Participants discussed Cambodia’s potential to capitalise on local resources, such as silicon from sand, and examined the essential role of education, infrastructure, investment, and policy alignment in enabling the country’s ambitions to emerge as a competitive player in the global semiconductor landscape.

In her opening remarks, H.E. Bridget Collier, Deputy Ambassador of Australia to Cambodia, reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting Cambodia’s economic transformation. H.E. Chhem Kieth Rethy, Senior Minister in charge of Special Missions and Chairman of the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council of Cambodia (ECOSOCC), highlighted the importance of becoming a trusted contributor to the global semiconductor value chain. He emphasised the need to reorient the education system toward STEM disciplines, establish innovation hubs, and develop robust technical training programmes.

H.E. Prof. Dr Sok Siphana, Senior Minister in charge of Special Missions (Multilateral Trade and Economic Affairs) and Chairman of the TPAB, stressed the necessity of policy coherence and stakeholder mobilisation across the public and private sectors to drive industrial transformation.

Dr Han Phoumin, Senior Energy Economist at ERIA, facilitated the discussions and delivered two presentations. The first focused on recent developments in the ASEAN semiconductor sector, while the second outlined the requirements and strategic steps for Cambodia to develop its own semiconductor ecosystem. Following the presentations, approximately 40 participants representing various ministries, government agencies, the private sector, and academia were divided into three working groups for in-depth discussions on key thematic areas.

In his closing remarks, Jeremy Gross, Director of Capacity Building and Mekong Affairs at ERIA, emphasised that the workshop marked the beginning of a broader capacity building programme aimed at supporting Cambodia in realising its potential within the global semiconductor ecosystem.