Cambodia Customs, SMEs Forge Partnership to Tackle Trade Barriers

PHNOM PENH, Sept 1, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s customs authority and the Federation of Associations for Small and Medium Enterprises (FASMEC) have launched a new consultation mechanism to tackle trade barriers facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), officials said Monday. The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) and FASMEC held their first meeting under a June memorandum of understanding aimed at improving SMEs’ understanding of customs rules, facilitating trade, and strengthening competitiveness. The meeting reviewed five issues raised by SMEs, including import and export procedures, bringing in machinery for production lines, aligning imported goods with patent-tax registration, applying for tax and duty incentives, and improving knowledge of customs processes. Officials said three issues were resolved, while two require further coordination with other government institutions. GDCE Deputy Director General Pha Eng Veng outlined mechanisms for receiving and addressing private-sector concerns. FASMEC Chairman Te Tangpor welcomed the dialogue, saying it provided SMEs with a platform to raise challenges directly with customs authorities. Under the agreement, GDCE and FASMEC will continue bilateral consultations and cooperate on disseminating regulations, facilitating trade, and modernizing technology systems for customs clearance. Officials said the initiative gives SMEs a direct channel to raise operational barriers, while providing customs authorities with a mechanism to respond and improve trade facilitation. Cambodia’s customs administration identifies facilitating international trade as one of its core responsibilities. The government has emphasized that closer cooperation with SMEs is vital to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, encouraging formalization of informal businesses, and strengthening Cambodia’s competitiveness in the global economy.