Phnom Penh, 28 May 2024: Good Regulatory Practice (GRP) is a proven instrument to harness national efforts and resources for competitiveness and economic growth, enhancing transparency, accountability, and public involvement in the rule-making process. Acknowledging the importance of this, ERIA, with the ASEAN Secretariat, developed the ASEAN Handbook on GRP to raise awareness and promote GRP across institutions, sectors, and ASEAN Member States (AMS). The Handbook was completed in 2022.

Following a request from the Council of Jurists (CoJ) in Cambodia, ERIA organised an introductory workshop on GRP for the CoJ, co-hosted with the Ministry of Commerce (MoC). Around 500 officials attended this workshop, with participants from various state institutions such as the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSEC), line ministries, chambers of commerce, the private sector, civil society organisations, and students.

Jeremy Gross, the Director of Mekong Affairs and Capacity Building, gave the first welcoming remarks, highlighting ERIA’s contribution to strengthening the implementation of GRP in ASEAN and Cambodia. H.E. TAT Putsodaoy, Secretary of State, Minister of Commerce, in his welcoming remarks, emphasised the importance of GRP for strengthening the national economy.

H.E. Vongsey Vissoth, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, and Chairman of the Council of Jurists, gave the opening remarks. In his address, he strongly urged strengthening coordination for implementing GRP across line ministries to promote transparency and accountability. He also noted the importance of Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) in policy and law formulation and mechanisms.

The workshop continued with a presentation by Dr Intan Murnira Ramli, Senior Policy Fellow, ERIA, on ‘Why GRP Matters – and How We Make it Happen.’ Mohamad Izahar Mohamad Izham, Partner at Zaid Ibrahim & Co, in association with KPMG Law, then delivered the main presentations, ‘An Overview of Good Regulatory Practice (GRP)’ and ‘The ASEAN Handbook on Good Regulatory Practice; The Seven Elements of Regulatory Impact Analysis.’ H.E. PICH Ang, a Member of the Council of Jurists, delivered a presentation on regulatory practices in Cambodia. This workshop enabled 500 officials to learn from various experts in the field, enhancing their understanding and capacity to implement GRP effectively in their respective roles.

The discussion was followed by a question and answer session moderated by H.E. SEA Mao, Permanent Vice-President and Secretary-General of the Council of Jurists. Questions revolved around best practices for RIA, stakeholder analysis, and mechanisms to avoid redundancy in regulation.

H.E. Dr SOK Siphana, Senior Minister in Charge of Special Missions and Advisor to the Council of Jurists, closed the workshop. He expressed his gratitude for the event, emphasising its significance in enhancing regulatory practices in Cambodia and encouraging continued collaboration and improvement in GRP implementation.