Cambodia is pivoting from a labor-intensive economy to a high-tech industrial hub. On Thursday, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Economic and Industrial Research Federation reaffirmed its commitment to upgrading Cambodia’s human resources through advanced cooperation in drone technology, automation, and vocational excellence. This strategic roadmap, discussed between Federation President Liang Songshou and Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, signals a major leap in bridging the skills gap for the 2026 labor market.
I. THE BLUEPRINT: 4 Pillars of Tech Evolution
The GBA Federation outlined four primary objectives to support Cambodia’s industrial transformation:
- Drone Pilot Training: Establishing professional drone pilot certification programs with ministerial coordination.
- Academic Synergy: Forming partnerships between Cambodian vocational centers and Shaanxi Polytechnic University in China.
- Industrial Automation: Enhancing local staff expertise in mechanics, electronics, and automation, specifically for Chinese-led enterprises.
- Supply Chain Expansion: Exploring commercial opportunities for paper products and high-end office supplies.
II. THE “PENTAGONAL” ALIGNMENT
H.E. Dr. Hang Chuon Naron welcomed these initiatives, noting their perfect alignment with the Royal Government’s Pentagonal Strategy, which prioritizes high-level technical skills.
- Knowledge Transfer: The Minister views these programs as vital bridges for transferring global technical expertise to the local workforce.
- Digital Labs: The MoEYS is encouraging the establishment of digital labs and automation programs essential for modern manufacturing.
- Formal Structure: Ministry officials have been instructed to define immediate priorities for joint training centers and student exchange programs.
III. THE PULSE CHECK: Why This Matters for Orkun Santepheap
| Trending Tech | Investor Signal | Opportunity |
| Drones | Logistics & Agriculture Modernization | Precision farming & cargo delivery infrastructure. |
| Automation | Manufacturing Maturity | Attraction of higher-value FDI beyond textiles. |
| Vocational Ed | Workforce Stability | Reduced reliance on foreign technical experts. |
IV. THE BOTTOM LINE (Orkun Santepheap’s Take)
As we track the reviews of the Techo International Airport and other mega-projects, it is clear that Peace (Santepheap) has allowed Cambodia to focus on its greatest asset: its people. By training the next generation of drone pilots and automation engineers, Cambodia is not just building buildings; it is building a modern, tech-savvy middle class. For the Western investor, this means a reliable, skilled, and future-ready workforce is ready to power your next ASEAN project.