The Korea International Cooperation Agency’s (KOICA) Cambodia Office recently completed the third year of its intellectual property training and patent recognition training programme for Cambodian authorities. As part of the “Capacity Building for Intellectual Property and Patent Recognition Program System in Cambodia (2023–2025),” this latest phase was conducted in South Korea and focused on practical instructions in key IP areas.

In preparation, on June 2, 2025, KOICA’s Cambodia Office hosted a pre-departure orientation for 15 officials from the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation. The training, which was held from June 8 to 21, aimed to strengthen to strengthen practical expertise in areas such as trademarks, geographical indications, design and advanced techniques for technology management and commercialization.

KOICA emphasized that the programme’s core goal was to enhance Cambodia’s IP infrastructure, seen as vital for promoting sustainable economic growth.

During the orientation, Sejin Lee, deputy country director of the KOICA Cambodia Office, said the training reflected Korea’s broader commitment to supporting Cambodia’s development across multiple sectors. Lee also highlighted KOICA’s broad contributions to Cambodian’s public health, education and agriculture sectors, noting that nearly 4,000 officials have participated in the its Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow programme.

The orientation provided participants with a detailed overview of the fellowship programme, practical advice for their time in Korea and key guidelines for a safe and productive learning environment. Pich Ang, an alumnus of the 2024 programme and chairman of the Commercial Law Working Group, shared valuable insights from his own training during the orientation, offering both professional reflections and practical encouragement.

Additionally, representatives from the two ministries presented a country report detailing Cambodia’s current IP system. The report identified critical gaps, such as the lack of a national IP strategy, and stressed the urgent need to improve local expertise. It also outlined key tasks for long-term IP development, including creating an IP agent system, fostering IP-based startups, and increasing public awareness about intellectual property.

- Excel V. Dyquiangco