Bangkok, April 8–9, 2025 –A high-level Cambodian delegation successfully concluded a two-day Structured Learning Visit (SLV) to Central Lab Thailand (CLT) and the Biotechnology Laboratory at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), aimed at deepening technical understanding and exploring collaboration opportunities in support of establishing the National Agricultural Laboratory of Setbo (NALS).
The visit was co-organized by the CAPFish-Capture project and the Mekong Institute (MI), in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and with support from the European Union. It brought together senior officials from Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), and representatives from existing laboratories under MAFF.
At Central Lab Thailand (CLT), the delegation engaged with the leadership team, led by Managing Director Mr. Chakrit Tiebtienrat, to gain insights into the lab’s transformation from a government initiative responding to trade crises into a national center of excellence in food safety testing and certification. Presentations and discussions highlighted CLT’s hybrid public-private business model, international accreditations, internal training systems, and its nationwide laboratory network. The delegates also toured the facilities and explored potential avenues for technical collaboration and support.
The Cambodian team was particularly interested in CLT’s structure as a state-owned enterprise operating with agility while maintaining international accreditation (ISO 17025, ISO 17043), and providing testing, training, and certification services to both public and private sectors. This model offered valuable lessons for Cambodia’s own laboratory governance, structure, and long-term sustainability.
At AIT, under the guidance of Dr. Anil Kumar Anal, Professor at the Department of Food, Agriculture, and Bioresources, participants explored biotechnology applications in food safety and agricultural R&D. The sessions introduced institutional approaches to laboratory management, quality control, and the integration of research into laboratory systems. Delegates also took part in peer discussions to identify opportunities for future technical exchange and collaboration.
H.E. Dr. Sen Sovann, Secretary of State at MAFF, emphasized that the visit came at a pivotal time as Cambodia works to consolidate and strengthen its national laboratory capacity through the NALS initiative. “This mission gave us a clearer picture of how a national laboratory can be established and sustained through strong governance, technical excellence, and international collaboration,” he noted in his closing remarks.
The visit laid a strong foundation for continued cooperation between Cambodia and its Thai counterparts, particularly in areas of technical assistance, capacity building, and harmonization of standards to support Cambodia’s vision of a globally aligned, food-safe agricultural system.
