The Cambodian government has approved the long-awaited draft laws on e-commerce and consumer protection, says the government’s spokesperson.
The approval was made during a weekly cabinet meeting on July 12, which was presided over by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, said Phay Siphan on his Facebook page.
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E-commerce refers to the purchase of goods and services via an online system.
Siphan said the draft e-commerce law aims to facilitate and regulate online business operations for investors and consumers.
“It will be the main legal instrument used to promote e-commerce businesses in Cambodia and between Cambodia and other countries,” he said, as quoted by Xinhua News. “It will increase confidence for both investors and consumers.”
The spokesperson said the bill would greatly contribute to the development of digital economy in the Southeast Asian country.
The bill was drafted after the country has seen a remarkable rise in online businesses in recent years, thanks to the rapid growth of Internet users across the country.
According to the latest figures of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, about 14.1 million, or 86.7%, out of the country’s 16.2 million people, have access to the Internet, most of whom get online via smartphones.
For the draft law on consumer protection, Siphan said it is designed to protect the benefits of consumers and to promote honest competition.
“It not only protects consumers from dishonest merchants but also stipulates about the information that needs to be provided to consumers and allows the regulator to prepare regulations on information standard that merchants have to comply with,” he said.
“It provides consumers with confidence in entering into commercial transactions with merchants,” the government official added.
After the government’s approval, the two draft laws need to be adopted by the National Assembly and finally reviewed by the Senate before being submitted to the king for promulgation.
Photo: Milei.vencel
