CAC News
Phnom Penh, Cambodia — December 4, 2025
Mr. Suy Kokthean, Vice President of the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC), joined a key Consultation Workshop on Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures (STRACAP) Roadmap to Inclusive Growth held in Phnom Penh on December 4. The workshop served as a major platform for public and private sector stakeholders to review and refine Cambodia’s national STRACAP roadmap, aimed at strengthening the country’s integration into regional and international trade frameworks.
The event was organized by the Institute of Standards of Cambodia (ISC) under the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI), in collaboration with the Regional Trade for Development (RT4D) Facility. The initiative is part of the project titled “Implementing Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Commitments on Standards, Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures (STRACAP): A Roadmap to Inclusive Growth,” with support from the RCEP Implementation Support Program (RISP).
According to ISC, the project’s key objective is to build the capacity of Cambodia’s STRACAP bodies and stakeholders so they can effectively implement regional and international trade agreements—particularly RCEP. The roadmap under development is informed by insights from the national launch and awareness workshop, lessons from a regional STRACAP study mission to Malaysia, and a comprehensive assessment of Cambodia’s current STRACAP systems and user experiences.
The draft roadmap identifies systemic and institutional improvements needed to strengthen Cambodia’s standards and conformity assessment infrastructure. These improvements are expected to help the country fully benefit from free trade agreements and ensure inclusive economic growth driven by enhanced trade competitiveness.
Organizers emphasized that the consultation workshop is crucial for ensuring stakeholder ownership and alignment. During the session, key representatives from government agencies, industry groups, and private enterprises—including CAC—were invited to review the draft roadmap, provide feedback, and validate its strategic directions.
Inputs gathered from this consultation will be synthesized to further refine the roadmap before it is finalized. The resulting roadmap will also guide an upcoming capacity-building workshop designed to support its effective implementation.
The participation of the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia highlights the importance of agricultural value-chain actors in national trade policy development, especially as Cambodia strengthens its position within RCEP and other trade frameworks.
