The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Cambodia Office has announced that the third year of an intellectual property (IP) and patent recognition training course for Cambodian officials will begin this month. The training, which will take place in South Korea, is part of the agency’s continued commitment to strengthening Cambodia’s economic foundations through human resource development.
On June 2, KOICA hosted a pre-departure orientation for the government officials who will depart for the “Capacity Building for Intellectual Property and Patent Recognition Program (PRP) System in Cambodia (2023–2025)”.
“Fifteen selected officials from the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation and the Ministry of Commerce are scheduled to participate in a specialised training course in South Korea from June 8 to 21,” said an agency press release.
Following the successful completion of the programme’s initial two years, this iteration will provide practical instruction on trademarks, geographical indications (GIs), design and advanced strategies for the commercialisation and management of technologies.
“The programme’s core objective is to elevate Cambodia’s capacity in IP creation and utilisation, thereby fostering sustainable economic growth and generating new opportunities through robust IP protection and application,” said KOICA.
During her opening remarks, Sejin Lee, deputy country director of the KOICA Cambodia Office, congratulated the participants, explaining that the curriculum was meticulously designed to address Cambodia’s escalating requirements within the IP sector.
“She affirmed the Korean government’s resolute commitment to supporting Cambodia’s socio-economic advancement by strengthening expertise in this critical domain,” according to KOICA.
She also highlighted KOICA’s extensive engagement across diverse Cambodian sectors, including public health, education and agriculture.
Since 1994, KOICA has facilitated the development of 3,773 Cambodian government officers through its comprehensive Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow (CIAT) programme, which encompasses both short-term training and Master’s Degree scholarships.
The orientation session equipped participants with a detailed overview of the fellowship programme, essential practical advice for their stay in Korea, and key guidelines to ensure a secure and productive learning environment.
Pich Ang, chairman of the Commercial Law Working Group and Member of the Council of Jurists at the Office of the Council of Ministers, and an alumnus of the 2024 programme, offered invaluable insights derived from his own training experience, which he noted provided both professional reflections and practical encouragement.
Representatives from the two ministries presented a comprehensive country report, which detailed the current state of Cambodia’s IP system.
The report identified critical structural gaps, notably the absence of a national IP strategy, and underscored the urgent imperative to enhance local expertise.
Furthermore, it delineated priority tasks crucial for long-term IP development, including the establishment of an IP agent system, the cultivation of IP-based startups, and the amplification of public awareness regarding intellectual property.
