TRADE

The government is backing a request by the transport industry to reduce customs procedures at border checkpoints. Prime Minister Hun Sen made the announcement at Friday's Government - Private Sector Forum. So Nguon, the forum's co-chair for energy, infrastructure and transport, said the current system is expensive and unnecessary because goods are inspected on both sides of the borders. He argued that goods from Vietnam, for example, should only be inspected by Cambodian authorities, and vice versa. "In doing this, both side will save time," So Nguon said. He contended that changing the procedures will reduce transport times and cut costs for local companies. "If goods are imported from Vietnam to Cambodia, only the Cambodian side need to inspect the products. There is no need for an inspection on the Vietnamese side. If goods are exported from Cambodia to Vietnam, they only need to be inspected by the Vietnamese.... This is a reasonable request that will save time." The government said it will work with neighbouring countries to implement the proposal.