National
Cambodia, Germany Launch €8 Million ICONE II Project to Boost Private Sector Competitiveness
PHNOM PENH — Oct. 9, 2026: Cambodia and Germany have signed the Implementation Agreement for the Improved Competitiveness of National Enterprises II (ICONE II) project, marking the official launch of a four-year initiative worth approximately €8 million.
The signing took place on Oct. 8, 2026, at the Council for the Development of Cambodia. H.E. Senior Minister Chhieng Yanara, Second Vice-Chairman of the CDC, signed on behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, while Mr. Hans-Juergen Cassens, Programme Director of ICONE II, signed for the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The signing was witnessed by H.E. Silke Röfer, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Cambodia, along with members of the National Steering Committee and the GIZ ICONE II team, with around 50 participants attending.
ICONE II will be implemented from 2026 to 2030. The project underscores the shared commitment between Cambodia and Germany to private sector development through driving investment, boosting productivity, developing medium and large enterprises, fostering entrepreneurship capacity, strengthening partnerships between local and foreign investors — particularly European investors — expanding export capacity and enhancing Cambodia's competitiveness in international markets.
Source: Council for the Development of Cambodia
Reported by The Khmer Today
