ABOUT
The Trade Policy Advisory Board
About TPAB
The Trade Policy Advisory Board (TPAB) was established by the Sub-Decree No 35 ANKR.BK on February 19, 2024, as a trade policy coordinating body of the Royal Government of Cambodia that provides expert advice on the formulation and implementation of trade policies through an inclusive consultation process with relevant ministries, academia, think tanks, and private sector associations under the chairmanship of H.E. Prof. Dr. Siphana Siphana, Senior Minister in charge of Special Missions (Multilateral Trade and Economic Affairs).
Rights Reserved Under
Cabinet of H.E. Prof. Bundit Sapheacha Dr. SOK Siphana and Secretariat of the Trade Policy Advisory Board (TPAB) © 2025
Overview of the Trade Policy Advisory Board
The Trade Policy Advisory Board (TPAB) plays a key role in enhancing the effectiveness of Cambodia’s trade policies in support of the Pentagonal Strategy Phase I. Its work includes providing policy recommendations and aide-mémoires for Samdech Thipadei’s official visits, including to Australia, Korea, and Singapore. TPAB also formulates strategies to develop agro-industrial sectors, particularly in cashew and rubber processing, with other crops to follow. It monitors geopolitical trends and their economic impacts, and advises on market access through various trade agreements such as RCEP and CPTPP, while identifying potential new trading partners.
In contribution to the realization of the government’s vision in transforming Cambodia into a high-middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050, the Government has shifted its focus from the practice of traditional diplomacy to a diplomacy that places economy, culture, and tourism at its core. This will significantly contribute to the attraction of foreign investment, diversification of investment sources, the expansion of export markets for Cambodian products, tourists attraction, and the promotion of Cambodian culture on the world stage. As the country is a land of rich history and stunning natural beauty, with each province offering unique tapestry of cultural and economic attributes and investment opportunities, this economic and cultural diplomacy will be able to showcase its rich heritage while empowering local communities.
TPAB has initiated successfully a pilot project to promote the unique strengths of every Cambodian province, starting with Siem Reap. We were pleased to receive the steadfast endorsement of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, who has encouraged TPAB to start similar works with other priorities provinces like Koh Kong, Sihanouk Ville, Kampot as well as for the Capital City of Phnom Penh
For the next quarter, TPAB will continue to hold its plenary sessions on topics of concerns for Cambodia, namely trade in services, particularly on trade in data and e-commerce, climate change, carbon credits and its trade related consequences, and many other emerging trade issues.
TPAB will seek to strengthen the capacity of its members in negotiating skills, particularly on new topics of interest and pertinence with Cambodia’s development agenda. We are pleased to see some upcoming support from our traditional development partners, like UNESCAP, the Asian Development Bank, and the European Union. We are as well truly appreciative of our bilateral partners, particularly for CAPRED of Australia, China and the Mekong Lancang Special Fund, for their pragmatic technical assistance in various areas of trade and investment. We will implement a capacity building project to train our technical officials in trade development and negotiations and undertake a project to study six priority agro-industrial crops in five target provinces.
TPAB will work closely with line ministries to advance its inter-ministerial and institutional cooperation for in-depth research on various agro-industrial crops, including cashew nuts and rubber
The Trade Policy Advisory Board (TPAB) is a coordinating body to provide expert advice on the formulation and implementation of trade policies issued by the Royal Government of Cambodia, to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of these policies, particularly by driving export increase to key markets and potential trading partners and by strengthening domestic production capacity based on specific market preferences.
TPAB’s scope of work
Provide advice on the assessment of analysis of Cambodia’s trade policies and trade agreements with key insights for the Head of the Government.
Conduct study and research on the potential export markets, connect with key trading partners, while also identify priority goods and services for Cambodia.
Monitor the geopolitical dynamics, the rapid evolution of the regional and global trade environment with the analysis and recommendation to tackle the impact to Cambodia’s economy.
Provide policy recommendation through the assessment of the impact of the existing free trade agreements.
Evaluate and strengthen the domestic industrial capacities to produce priority goods for export in accordance with each market requirements.
Perform other duties as directed by the Head of the Royal Government.