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

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom

  • PM warns of int’l election interference

    With the national election scheduled to take place in less than two months, Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned foreign nations and their diplomats not to interfere into Cambodia’s domestic affairs. He also hinted that their statements on court verdicts handed down to any