Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Ministry, Swisscontact ink MoU on SME e-commerce

Ministry, Swisscontact ink MoU on SME e-commerce

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Commerce ministry secretary of state Tek Reth Kamrong signs the memorandum on Wednesday. COMMERCE MINISTRY

Ministry, Swisscontact ink MoU on SME e-commerce

The Ministry of Commerce and Swisscontact, representing the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GATF), are teaming up on a project to make it easier for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) to ship and receive small parcels internationally, according to the ministry.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to this end on January 12 by ministry secretary of state Tek Reth Kamrong and Swisscontact Cambodia country director Rajiv Pradhan, to implement a joint project entitled “Improving Small Package e-Trade for Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises” (SeT4SME), the ministry said in a social media post on January 13.

The MoU has two main objectives – first, to contribute to the implementation of trade facilitation and e-commerce initiatives, and improve the cross-border trade environment, by linking the General Department of Customs and Excise’s general data exchange system and the Cambodia Post with trading partners.

The second is to establish an e-platform for small-package shipping, to strengthen the e-commerce environment for local micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) and help them maximise benefits from online trade, the ministry said.

In a separate statement, a Swisscontact representative said: “SeT4SMEs, initiated by the [GATF] and implemented by Swisscontact Cambodia, aims to facilitate the imports and exports of postal consignments in Cambodia and promote inclusive growth in the country, by enhancing the clearance process of small packages sent through the post and thus saving time and money for local [MSMEs], many of them women-owned.”

Reth Kamrong commented in the ministry’s post that the project involves the implementation of trade facilitation agreements that would improve the business environment and encourage the use of e-commerce, to the benefit of local SMEs.

“To ensure the effectiveness and success of the project, the Ministry of Commerce and Swisscontact will set up a steering committee to orient its implementation, in accordance with its objectives and work plans,” she said.

She indicated that the latest project would complement existing initiatives such as ministry-implemented e-commerce acceleration project Go4eCam, as well as Cambodiatrade.com, which aims to support local SMEs’ sales of domestic products at home and abroad.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • Minimum wage set at $204, after Sep 28 vote

    The minimum wage for factory workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods industries for 2024 has been decided at $204 per month, with the government contributing $2. Following several negotiation sessions, the tripartite talks reached an agreement during a September 28 vote, with 46 of 51 votes supporting the $202 figure.