Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 20 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called for the reduction of complicated service procedures to accelerate service delivery and transition towards digital services, speaking on Thursday (Mar. 20) during the closing of 2024 Ministry of Civil Service annual meeting in Phnom Penh.

Samdech Thipadei said that there are more than 3,000 public services, many of which require overlapping documents. For instance, some services demand identity cards, birth certificates, and family books, even when such documents are unnecessary. “If we continue like this, we will not be able to move forward,” the premier underscored.

Samdech Thipadei explained, “The structure has been adjusted, but if our work procedures and methods are not modernised to suit the current situation, we will still face difficulties. If the structure remains unchanged while only procedures are adjusted, what can we do? We must accelerate progress.”

As an example, the premier cited the Ministry of Commerce, where he had observed an increase in service costs compared to the previous term, necessitating a thorough review.

“We are undertaking reforms to reduce costs, not increase them. We must review both official and unofficial costs. Simplifying procedures is essential to avoid unnecessary complexity. We need to reduce the number of steps and enhance digitalisation,” Samdech Thipadei added.

He also highlighted advancements in digital services, mentioning, “Previously, we filled out forms online. Now, we use CamDX to submit documents and scan QR codes, allowing all ministries and institutions to share information instead of requiring individuals to visit multiple offices.”

The prime minister expressed hope that the working group reviewing these 3,000 services would find ways to eliminate unnecessary steps and streamline processes, ensuring faster and more efficient service delivery for citizens.
=FRESH NEWS