Cambodia and WIPO to Establish an IP Business Center

Cambodia has taken another step in developing its intellectual property system with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Intellectual Property Organization to establish an IP Business Center in Cambodia.

The agreement was signed at WIPO headquarters in Geneva during a bilateral meeting between WIPO Director General Daren Tang and a Cambodian delegation led by Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul, on July 6, 2026. The center is intended to serve as a permanent platform for business-focused IP services for Cambodian entrepreneurs, startups, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

The new center is expected to provide practical guidance to businesses on how to identify, protect, and manage intellectual property assets, including patents, trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indications, and copyright. It will also provide training, workshops, and awareness activities to help businesses use IP as a tool for protection, growth, and competitiveness. This makes the initiative especially relevant for Cambodian SMEs, many of which are still at an early stage in using IP strategically.

The importance of the IP Business Center lies in its focus on practical use rather than registration alone. Cambodia has made steady progress in digitising IP administration and expanding cooperation with WIPO and regional partners. However, many businesses still need help understanding how IP rights can support branding, licensing, market access, and value creation. A dedicated business center can help close this gap by connecting legal protection with commercial use.