PHNOM PENH, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- More than 50 regional stakeholders from all 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Timor Leste gathered here on Tuesday for the development of a regional skilled agri-food workforce.
Funded by the European Union (EU), the two-day workshop brought together officials and experts from governments, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, the private sector, and international organizations.
Cambodia's Minister of Labor and Vocational Training Heng Sour said the agri-food sector is a key driver of growth and employment across ASEAN.
"This workshop is an important platform for sharing experiences between ASEAN and the EU," he said.
Sour said Cambodia is committed to strengthening TVET so young people are equipped for decent work in the digital and green economy.
"In Cambodia alone, over 50,000 additional direct jobs could be created by processing cashew nuts in the country," he said.
EU Ambassador to Cambodia Igor Driesmans said Europe offered numerous support measures for job creation in ASEAN, and the development of a skilled workforce in the agri-food sector is one of them.
"There is so much potential in the ASEAN agri-food sector, and the EU will continue to stand by farmers, producers and exporters as they seek to benefit from European expertise and access the European market," he said.
Driesmans said the EU is dedicated to fostering a resilient, skilled workforce in partnership with ASEAN. ■
