Expert Mission to Enhance International Merchandize Trade Statistics in Cambodia

Phnom Penh, 10 April 2023 - Under the collaboration of the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) and ARISE Plus Cambodia, the mission of International Merchandize Trade Statistics (IMTS) expert, Mr. Bülent TUNGUL, was completed. The mission was conducted on 3-7 April 2023 with the main objective to discuss on the “IMTS Policy and Procedural Guideline” that were developed by the expert on compilation of IMTS in Cambodia for the finalization and enhance the data sources.

During the mission, the GDCE Statistics Office and expert met with all relevant departments in the GDCE as well as other government agencies as stakeholders and users of IMTS data. The new data processing system that developed for statistical purpose and the relevant issues were discussed. IT department has nearly completed scrips/programs for the data processing system. Following the testing of all programs, interfaces will be developed for running of all steps, correction of invalid codes and data control. This is expected to be finalized by the end of this year.

The quality and the coverage of the IMTS data are the priorities of the IMTS compilation. All relevant stakeholders are satisfied with the IMTS data provided by the GDCE, but more comprehensive and detailed data are still needed.

Following the discussions with the data users, collectors and compilers, and the debriefing session with Mr. Pha Eng Veng, the GDCE Deputy Director General, a set of recommendations have been produced, presented and discussed. Mr. Pha Eng Veng highlighted that further discussion within the GDCE with the lead from the Statistics Office needs to be done for the future implementation of the recommendations as well as the good cooperation from all relevant departments. At the same time, the on-going support from the IMTS expert is needed with the support from the project for the enhancement of the IMTS data of the GDCE as well as other relevant agencies.

Co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the ARISE Plus Cambodia supports this initiative as part of its key support to the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia in strengthening institutional capacities and improving regulatory practices with a view to achieving a more transparent, predictable and competitive trade environment.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Kamrang Ke, Advisor – Trade-related Coordination and Transparency

Email: kamrang.ke@giz.de

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