Cambodia targets digital economy by 2023: minister

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Tram Iv Tek said Tuesday that the Southeast Asian country aimed to transform itself toward a digital economy by 2023.

He said the country was working to formulate strategy and policy on Tech Startup, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Go For Digital, Online Crowdfunding Platform, and Digital Skills.

"These are deemed as important supportive pillars for transforming Cambodia toward a digital economy by next five years," Tram Iv Tek said in an opening speech of the 2017 forum on the Tech Startup and MSMEs.

The minister said Cambodia was committed to connecting the country and ensuring that the benefits of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) reach the remotest corners as well as the most vulnerable communities.

"About 40 percent of our (15 million) population is still offline by end of 2017," he said. "To address this challenge, we have the 2020 targets of 100 percent broadband coverage in urban areas and 70 percent in rural areas."

Thomas Hundt, chief executive officer of Smart Axiata, said his telecoms operator was ready to support and grow future economies of cashless societies, smart cities, borderless application services and digital inclusion.

"As we enter into the fourth industrial revolution with increased focus on digital and ICT, the opportunities for building a digital economy and society in Cambodia are very promising," he said at the one-day forum.

The forum was attended by some 200 MSME representatives, officials, business mentors, telecoms experts, and researchers. It was intended to increase awareness of Cambodia's digital economy and help prepare MSMEs to go digital. Enditem