Workshop on the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programme in Cambodia

Phnom Penh, 14 June 2023 – The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), in cooperation with ARISE Plus Cambodia, organized a full-day workshop for private companies in Cambodia on the implementation of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme on 12 June 2023.

The workshop was presided by His Excellency PHA EngVeng, the GDCE Deputy Director General, and was attended by over 100 of representatives from trading companies and business associations.

Following the promulgation of the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s Prakas on the AEO programme, the workshop aimed at raising the awareness of the programme and its intended benefit among the economic operators in Cambodia.

Of note, the AEO programme is a global initiative in which customs authorities partner with the private sector to facilitate trade and ensure safety and security of global supply chains. Traders with a track record of compliance and appropriate safety and security measures will be granted AEO status, which provides additional trade facilitation benefits.

Cambodia is implementing the AEO programme that is in line with the country’s international commitments as well as international standards and best practices, such as Trade Facilitation Agreement of World Trade Organization (WTO TFA), SAFE Framework of Standards of World Customs Organization (WCO) and the ASEAN Agreement on Customs (ACC).

With the presentations from both the GDCE and an international customs expert, the workshop covered the insight of various relevant topics, including the Prakas, the details of the AEO programme and its benefits, the requirements and procedures for accreditation and application, as well as experience sharing from experienced companies with AEO status in other countries.  

As highlighted by Mr. Rorng Ratha, the GDCE Deputy Director, the AEO programme is beneficial and convenient for both customs and traders. Its benefits and incentives would include less documentary burden upon import and export, faster clearance time, reduced or waived guarantees, as well as mutual recognition by the customs administrations of key trading partner countries.

His Excellency PHA EngVeng also pointed out the significance of the customs-to-business partnership for the AEO programme implementation. By becoming the AEO, it would be beneficial for not only the operators itself but also country’s compliance to the related international agreements and commitments. His Excellency encouraged the companies in attendance to learn more about the programme and apply for AEO status.

Co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the ARISE Plus Cambodia project provides technical assistance to GDCE to develop and implement an AEO programme in line with the Cambodian government’s commitments under the WTO TFA and WCO. The AEO programme will serve as an additional trade facilitation measure to support better connectivity and economic integration between the country and the rest of ASEAN.

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Check out more about the AEO Prakas: https://bit.ly/3JbGltv

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Sok Sovanrotha, Trade Facilitation Advisor

Email: sovanrotha.sok@giz.de

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