APD | Cambodia Targets Digital Economy As a New Way Of Growth

By APD writer Kin Ratha

PHNOM PENH,Mar.12(APD)-Cambodia holds the first National Consultation Workshop on “Policy and Direction of Cambodia’s Digital Economy” , which is a move to get more input from key stakeholders and experts , especially from Alibaba Group in order to build up an ecosystem to transform herself into the digital economy for the years to come. 

Aun Pornmoniroth, Minister of Economy & Finance said  at a two-day Workshop that the digital economy has been gradually taking shape and creating new business activities in digital payment, online entertainment, E-commerce while increasing the number of users adapting themselves to the use of these technologies, adding that based on other experiences, countries that can benefits from the digital economy are the ones that have access to digital world and timely adapt themselves to these changes. 

“For developing country like Cambodia, the new technologies provide an opportunity to leapfrog and bypassing traditional phases of development. In the context of globalization and global integration, Cambodia certainly cannot avoid the impact of the IR 4.0, which requires the government to focus on seizing opportunities as well as managing risks.” he said.   

Ellen Goldstein, Country Director for the World Bank in Cambodia highlighted three main points for Cambodian government to consider—first, Cambodia have to find new ways of growth, as the country will not be able to rely exclusively on those methods which has been proven successful in the past. Second, the digital technology will be central to diversified its developing ways and the last is the country’s next economic transformation will rest on its ability to empower domestic entrepreneurs and citizens with capabilities and tools for the future economy.

Mr.Moniroth said that the government will also need time to build infrastructures, building up the regulatory environments so as to promote the digital literacy and also to build up a good digital government that can leverage the digital economy. 

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)