2018-柬埔寨_电子贸易准备度评估（英文版）-1mb

Cambodia eTrade Readiness Assessment Summary

Core Content

This document presents the findings of the eTrade Readiness Assessment for Cambodia, conducted as part of the eTrade For All initiative by UNCTAD. The assessment focuses on the country's readiness to develop and benefit from e-commerce, highlighting opportunities, challenges, and recommendations across seven key policy areas.

Main Policy Areas and Findings

1. E-commerce Readiness Assessments and Strategy Formulation

• Current Status: Cambodia has not yet developed a dedicated e-commerce strategy, though some measures are included in the National Strategy Development Plan 2014-2018 and the Telecommunication and ICT Development Policy 2020.
• Key Initiatives: The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications aims to promote the e-Economy through three main objectives: legislation and policy making for online business, e-banking, and development of tourism-related ICT services.
• Recommendations: Develop a comprehensive e-commerce strategy led by the Ministry of Commerce with strong private sector involvement.

2. ICT Infrastructure and Services

• Current Status: Cambodia has high mobile Internet penetration, but broadband access is limited, especially in rural areas. Electricity costs are a significant barrier to ICT infrastructure development.
• Key Issues: Need for increased broadband deployment, reduced Internet costs, and affordable electricity.
• Recommendations: Promote investment in broadband, especially in provinces, and support measures to lower electricity costs.

3. Trade Logistics and Trade Facilitation

• Current Status: Logistics in Cambodia are inefficient and costly, with a complex network of companies, including both international and local providers.
• Key Issues: Lack of transparency in procedures, challenges in e-payment for customs, and the need for a single window system.
• Recommendations: Improve transparency of procedures and duties, enable electronic payments for customs, and implement a single window system for cross-border traders.

4. Payment Solutions

• Current Status: The cash economy remains dominant, and mobile payments are still in early stages of development.
• Key Issues: Low consumer trust in online transactions, lack of clear consumer protection regulations, and limited mobile payment solutions.
• Recommendations: Build educational initiatives on security and trust, establish clear and interoperable consumer protection regulations, and promote mobile payment solutions.

5. Legal and Regulatory Frameworks

• Current Status: There is progress in ICT-related legislation, but e-commerce and e-payment laws are still underdeveloped.
• Key Issues: Unclear legal and regulatory frameworks for e-commerce and e-payment, leading to conservative investment decisions.
• Recommendations: Review and update existing ICT and e-commerce laws, and enact an e-commerce law as soon as possible.

6. E-commerce Skills Development

• Current Status: There is no dedicated e-commerce curriculum in universities or professional training courses, but micro-entrepreneurs are learning through "learning by doing."
• Key Issues: Lack of formal training and education on e-commerce and ICT.
• Recommendations: Strengthen sector associations to bridge the gap between MSME needs and current training programs.

7. Access to Financing

• Current Status: High interest rates, requirement for tangible assets, and lack of trust in online ventures discourage MSMEs from investing in e-commerce.
• Key Issues: Limited access to financing and high borrowing costs.
• Recommendations: Support business associations to improve the credibility of business plans, and encourage banks to develop innovative products for e-commerce investments.

Key Information and Statistics

• Population: 15.4 million (2016)
• Internet Access: Expected to reach 9.5 million by 2020 (60% of the population)
• Mobile Internet Penetration: 60% of the population (as of 2016)
• Fixed-line Internet Subscribers: 82,926 (as of June 2016)
• Smartphone Adoption: 50% of phones in 2015, with 40% of users having at least one smartphone
• Facebook Usage: 99% of the online population uses Facebook
• eCommerce Readiness Index: Cambodia ranked 119th out of 137 in the UNCTAD B2C e-commerce index 2016
• Postal E-Services (PES) Index: Cambodia scored 0.16 in PES 1 and 0.49 in PES 2, ranking 66th and 48th respectively among 87 countries

Conclusion and Way Forward

The e-commerce potential in Cambodia is promising, especially given its young population and high mobile Internet penetration. However, significant challenges remain in terms of infrastructure, logistics, payment systems, and legal frameworks. The assessment recommends a multi-faceted approach involving strategic development, infrastructure investment, regulatory reform, and capacity building to fully harness the opportunities of e-commerce and digital trade.

Action Matrix

Funding and Acknowledgements

• Funding: Provided by the Government of Sweden
• Key Contributors: Mr. Sven Callebaut (UNCTAD Consultant), Ms. Cecile Barayre (Economic Affairs Officer), Torbjörn Fredriksson (Chief, ICT Analysis Section), and various stakeholders including the Ministry of Commerce, ICT Federation of Cambodia, and Mekong Business Initiative

References

• UNCTAD/DTL/STICT/2017/2
• MPTC (Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications) 2016
• TNS Kandar 2016
• World Bank
• National Bank of Cambodia (NBC)