Phnom Penh, 30 June 2021 - Under the multi-phase Competition Law Implementation Program (CLIP), officials from the Australian Competition Consumer Commission (ACCC) have worked closely with Cambodian competition officials over the past two months to assist their work to prepare for a new competition law to come into force.

Between 10 May and 25 June, Cambodian officials met (virtually) with ACCC experts to discuss priority tasks and resources needed to prepare for the introduction of the new competition law and transition to a competition enforcement agency. Cambodia’s Competition Department now has a detailed plan to guide and support its work over the next 12 months.  

Mr MENG Songkheang, Director of the Competition Department, Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce, noted:

“The assistance that we received through CLIP was incredibly important. The creation of the strategic plan for our department allowed us to have a number of significant learning experiences. The strategic plan will help provide a clear direction on what work needs to be prioritised and whether it is achievable. This assistance came at the perfect time for us as we are getting very close to getting our draft law enacted.”

With the new Competition Law set to be enacted this year, the work to produce the plan and broader assistance provided was both important and timely. In addition to work on the strategic plan, Competition Department staff also sought advice and guidance from the ACCC experts on their experience engaging with and informing business, consumers and government on competition law.

This activity was delivered by the ACCC in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat. Supported by the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area Economic Cooperation Support Programme (AECSP), CLIP – now in its fourth phase – focuses on assisting ASEAN competition agencies in building knowledge and practical expertise in the region by sharing resources, skills, and techniques for effective competition law implementation.