Background
The Ministry of Commerce is leading preparation of the National Cassava Policy – Phase II through an inter-ministerial technical working group. The Secretariat held its first meeting on 4 September 2026 to review the draft preparation process and the research methodology and timeline for the policy’s development.
Members of the Secretariat working group and development partners attended the meeting, including UNDP, FAO, UNIDO, HEKS and CIRD, and the meeting was chaired by Undersecretary of State Oum Kosal. The ministry has stated that UNDP Cambodia is providing technical assistance to support the draft policy process.
Scope of Application
The draft National Cassava Policy – Phase II is a national-level instrument intended to guide policy directions for Cambodia’s cassava sector and to engage inter-ministerial institutions, private stakeholders, and development partners in the drafting process. The Secretariat structure indicates a government-led coordination mechanism for policy preparation across relevant agencies.
Key Provisions or Decisions
At its inaugural meeting, the Secretariat focused on two core items: the overall process for preparing the draft national policy and the research methodology and timeline required to develop Phase II. The meeting formally brought together the Secretariat membership and invited development partners to provide technical input and feedback on those procedural elements.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
The establishment of an inter-ministerial Secretariat and involvement of development partners signals a coordinated drafting process that stakeholders in the cassava value chain should monitor for future regulatory or policy changes. Businesses and development organizations engaged in cassava production, processing, or trade are positioned as participants or affected parties in the policy development process.
Official Source
Ministry of Commerce Facebook post, 4 September 2026: https://www.facebook.com/moc.gov.kh/posts/pfbid0exR8y2vF4WZCzcn4UNuiykpEfWekUpxLxKxFMhgDFxFW72p5hkfkQoF23T8mdNEVl
