PM seeks more digitalisation across region

PM seeks more digitalisation across region

Prime Minister Hun Sen has called for countries in the region to increase digital connection development in a bid to help the economy recover after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Accelerating the development of digital connectivity in the region and the digital transformation of society and the economy will become key to reviving the economy post-COVID-19 and a sustainable and resilient development for the future,” he said.

Mr Hun Sen’s statement came as he attended the opening ceremony of the 17th Asean-China Expo 2020 on Friday via videoconference.

He said China is at the forefront of developing, investing and utilising digital technology. Advancing cooperation with digital technology, under the Belt and Road Initiative, will be an important agenda for the future.

Mr Hun Sen said that the pandemic has caused an unprecedented and severe crisis for the economy and society.

“This crisis is a testimony to the greater need for multilateralism, to strengthen international cooperation to help adapt to the ‘new normal’, to address challenges and to promote sustainable and resilient socio-economic development,” he said.

Mr Hun Sen said the crisis has underlined the importance of promoting the development of the digital society and economy.

He added that digital technology has played a vital role in adapting to the “new normal”, by facilitating inter-communication in the region and the world, as well as connecting economic, trade and investment activities.

The government has been encouraging digitalisation in sectors such as production, industry, service and digital government, Mr Hun said. Cambodia will introduce a policy framework for a digital society and economy in the near future.

The government has continuously implemented sharp reform measures to improve the business and investment climate, he said.

This investment climate includes the implementation of the Online Business Registration Platform, on which it only takes eight working days to start a business, the signing of the Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement that comes into effect on January 1, 2021, and the preparation of the Master Plan for the Development of Sihanoukville into a Multi-Purposed Special Economic Zone.

Cambodia will introduce the “New Investment Law”, which is more comprehensive and attractive than previously, by providing incentive packages for investments in electronics, assembly, agro-industrial, spare-parts, technology and digital infrastructure, Mr Hun Sen said.

The Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute director-general Kin Phea said this exhibition is an opportunity in which Cambodia will deepen more cooperation with China and will showcase trade and investment potential to other countries.

“Every year, it is the big event where all the countries show their investment potential to the countries which attend the exhibition,” he said. Khmer Times