PHNOM PENH, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The National Assembly of Cambodia on Friday approved the renaming of the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft to the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation.
One hundred and sixteen lawmakers, including Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, unanimously approved the ministry's name change.
Speaking during the assembly's session, Cham Prasidh, Minister of Industry and Handicraft, said the name change was aimed at expanding the ministry's scope of responsibilities to cover the sectors of science, technology and innovation.
In the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, he said Cambodia needs a specific ministry to govern science, technology and innovation in order to ensure Cambodia's sustainable economic development and competitiveness.
He said the development of these sectors will contribute to supporting the kingdom's goals of becoming an upper middle-income country by 2030 and a high-income country by 2050.
"We will mobilize all competent Cambodian scientists and experts, particularly those who have graduated with master's or doctoral degrees abroad, to take part in the development of these sectors."
Pen Panha, chairman of the National Assembly's commission on legislation and justice, said renaming the ministry was to respond to global technological trends and emerging digital innovation.
With the reformed ministry, two new units, namely the General Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the National Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation will be established. Enditem
