Phnom penh: The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) and the Japan Development Institute (JDI) are collaborating to develop a Master Plan for the Cambodia-Japan Special Economic Zone (SEZ), aiming to meet international standards.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the discussions took place during a meeting held on July 10, involving H.E. Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice Chairman of the CDC, and Dr. Shoichi Kobayashi, Founder and President of the JDI. The meeting focused on formulating a comprehensive plan to enhance the SEZ's appeal to Japanese investors.

In his remarks, the Deputy Prime Minister welcomed the JDI delegation and expressed gratitude for their past cooperation and technical contributions. He emphasized the strategic importance of the Cambodia-Japan SEZ, a vision born from a bilateral meeting between the Cambodian leadership and a former Japanese Prime Minister. The project is designed to bolster Cambodia's attractiveness as a hub for Japanese supply chains and businesses.

The meeting featured a dynamic exchange of ideas between H.E. Sun Chanthol and Dr. Shoichi Kobayashi, focusing on strategies to draw Japanese investment to the SEZ. Dr. Kobayashi praised the initiative and reiterated JDI's commitment to supporting the project through its network of global experts.

Dr. Kobayashi also provided insights into critical success factors and global best practices, aiming to shape a Master Plan that aligns with the needs of Japanese investors. This plan seeks to instill confidence and encourage investment decisions favoring Cambodia as a regional base.

Both parties expressed a strong commitment to furthering their cooperation, with the goal of creating a conducive business environment that attracts Japanese enterprises and opens up new investment opportunities.