Hun Manet Calls for Citizens’ Ideas to Boost SME Growth

Hun Manet Calls for Citizens’ Ideas to Boost SME Growth

PHNOM PENH, 18 July 2026 — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has invited citizens, particularly owners and operators of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to provide recommendations on the challenges facing the sector as the government prepares a new package of measures aimed at strengthening domestic businesses.

In a Facebook post published on Sunday, Hun Manet said public participation would help the government formulate more effective and targeted policies under the principle of “thinking together and acting together” for the country’s collective benefit.

The prime minister described SMEs as a key driver of Cambodia’s economic growth and employment, noting that successive governments have introduced policies and incentives to promote the sector. He said the seventh-mandate Royal Government has continued implementing additional measures to encourage the establishment and expansion of SMEs.

Despite the progress made, Hun Manet acknowledged that the sector continues to face a number of challenges that require further government action.

He said strengthening domestic production has become increasingly important as Cambodia seeks to substitute imported goods with locally manufactured products, making the role of SMEs even more critical.

To support that objective, Hun Manet said he has assigned Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth, in his capacity as chairman of the Economic Policy Committee, to lead the preparation of additional urgent measures to address challenges facing SMEs and promote their development.

The prime minister said the government has traditionally conducted detailed studies and consulted SME representatives, the private sector and relevant ministries before introducing new policies.

He added that the latest public consultation is intended to broaden those discussions by inviting citizens, especially those involved in the SME sector, to share their experiences, identify obstacles and propose practical solutions.

Hun Manet said the feedback would serve as an important input for the government in designing policies and support measures that are more effective and better targeted to meet the needs of Cambodia’s small and medium-sized enterprises.