Suon Vichea, advisor to the Ministry of Commerce and head of secretariat of the National Intellectual Property Management Committee, has collaborated with experts from Korea to turn palm juice into candies, beverages and snacks. He recently met with Yoon Ha Young, manager of the International Cooperation Department of the Korea Innovation Promotion Association (KIPA), international beekeeping experts from Bee Happy and specialists from the Office of Geographic Markets, Commodities and Trade Information.

During the meeting, Vichea expressed his gratitude to the Korean Intellectual Property Organization (KIPO) and KIPA for identifying two geographical indications: Kampot pepper and Mondulkiri wild honey. He also emphasized their assistance in gathering information, conducting research, encouraging the use of contemporary technology and advancing the development of these geographical brands’ reputations to become more well-known.

To improve Cambodia’s standard of living and reputation, Vichea requested KIPA’s International Cooperation Department manager and foreign beekeeping experts to investigate and analyze the geographical indication, Kampong Speu palm sugar, for processing palm juice into candies, drinks and crisps.

In response to the meeting’s outcomes, KIPO representatives will visit and thoroughly assess the three geographical indications: Kampot pepper, Mondulkiri wild honey and Kampong Speu palm sugar. Following this, a comprehensive report on the study’s findings and the gathering of this specific data will be submitted to KIPO for approval and review the following year. Cambodia will be able to put the project into action in 2025.

- Excel V. Dyquiangco