(Phnom Penh): On July 16, the Coordinating Committee on Informal Economy Development (CCIED), in collaboration with key development partners, launched the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework for the National Strategy on the Development of the Informal Economy (NSIED) 2023-2028.
The Framework was developed with support from Australia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The Framework establishes a robust national system to coordinate, track and assess the implementation of Cambodia's strategy for informal economy development. It strengthens transparency, accountability and evidence-based policy decision-making to support the informal economy, which engages approximately 88 per cent of Cambodia's workforce.
The strategy aims to foster business sustainability, resilience and inclusive economic growth by enabling informal workers to access social protection, legal recognition, training, finance and integration into formal markets.
Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI) and Chair of the CCIED said, 'This Monitoring and Evaluation Framework is a vital step in further strengthening the implementation of the National Strategy for Developing the Informal Economy. It will allow the Royal Government to track real progress, make timely decisions, and improve accountability among all implementing actors".
The Framework is a result of a year-long inclusive consultation process, drawing on insights from over 250 participants at a national workshop, technical consultations with nine key ministries and five regional consultations involving officials from across the country.
Derek Yip, Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, said, 'Australia is pleased to support the development of a robust Monitoring & Evaluation dashboard that strengthens transparency, coordination and evidence-based policy implementation. Our work with the CCIED aligns with the Australia-Cambodia Development Partnership Plan for 2025-2029, which prioritises inclusive access to public services and transparent, accountable public institutions. This is part of our wider commitment to resilient, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Cambodia'.
Shakeel Ahmad, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Cambodia, said, 'While informal work often lacks protections and exposes workers to vulnerabilities, it also holds the potential to be a powerful engine for inclusive growth-if supported with the right policies and tools. The NSIED, launched in October 2023, is a bold step in this direction. As part of our 2024-2028 Country Programme, UNDP remains committed to supporting the NSIED Action Plan-through robust monitoring systems, incentive design, implementer training and institutional strengthening'.
Today's launch event brought together over 350 stakeholders from 28 line ministries, national, provincial, and district-level administrations, the private sector, business associations and civil society. A detailed technical briefing included a live demonstration of the dashboard, showcasing its capabilities in real-time data tracking, reporting and coordination.
The launch marks a pivotal step in Cambodia's journey toward inclusive economic resilience, ensuring that the informal economy is not only recognised, but actively supported through data-driven policy and collaborative action.
=FRESH NEWS
