The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) on August 18 launched an open joint effort to build an inclusive digital ecosystem aimed at sparking the development of a robust post-Covid-19 economy.

UNDP acting resident representative in Cambodia Sonali Dayaratne said there are two main objectives to get the ball rolling on this collaborative endeavour.

First is to raise awareness of the benefits associated with e-commerce adoption, and second is to build and improve the capacity of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) on effective and potential digital tactics of doing business, she noted.

She said the ultimate goal of this initiative – facilitated by The Idea Consultancy Co Ltd – is to increase e-commerce usage among enterprises and consumers.

“This initiative was commenced in April this year and will end in November this year. Hence, we do hope that more enterprises and consumers will join us in achieving the ambitious objectives of the coalition,” she said.

Australian ambassador to Cambodia Pablo Kang highlighted that small business are key drivers of the Cambodian economy and integral to those most vulnerable to the economic impacts of Covid-19.

“In response to the pandemic, Australia and UNDP Cambodia supported micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises to quickly move their businesses online so they could continue to operate in a pandemic-restricted environment,” he said. “This initiative, led by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications … will work towards an inclusive digital future in Cambodia.”

Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Chea Vandeth said the digital alliance would leverage digital technology to provide a strong footing to drive business continuity, with special emphasis on MSMEs.

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Author: Thou Vireak

Source: The Phnom Penh Post

Original publication date: 23 August 2021