[{"bbox": [96, 75, 1135, 184], "category": "Text", "text": "Between 97-99% of all MSMEs are micro-establishments and two-thirds (64.7%) of all micro-businesses are managed and owned by women. Women also largely remain in the informal sector, with only an estimated 1.7% of women's businesses being registered, compared to 6.6% for men; 70% of women businesses are home-based and they are often self-employed.⁴"}, {"bbox": [96, 207, 1135, 396], "category": "Text", "text": "A World Bank study (2021)⁵ on women entrepreneurs in Cambodia underlines that according to statistics, women entrepreneurs (WE) are predominant in most segments of SMEs. However they face distinct challenges linked to their low level of financial education, lack of business planning abilities, and of information on formalisation, tax obligations and incentives. Restrictive social and gender norms continue to play an important role, especially in rural areas. WE are also missing opportunities brought by advanced digital technology and e-commerce. This action has targeted activities to address the needs and human rights women entrepreneurs in order to realise their full potentials."}, {"bbox": [96, 420, 1076, 449], "category": "Text", "text": "To contribute to sustainable trade in Cambodia this action addresses a number of key challenges including:"}, {"bbox": [134, 475, 1135, 662], "category": "List-item", "text": "* Limited capacity for the development and implementation of a sustainable trade policy (gender sensitive and resulting in decent job conditions for workers, respecting environmental sustainability), which prepares export sectors, including for loss of preferential tariff regimes resulting from LDC graduation. The national trade policy, does not yet factor in the requirements for social and environmental sustainability, needed for increased export competitiveness in target markets. Similarly, the country faces a number of hurdles for an increased and safer use of e-commerce by Cambodian SMEs, notably enforcement mechanisms for consumers' protection and data protection."}, {"bbox": [134, 662, 1135, 797], "category": "List-item", "text": "* Need for faster and more transparent customs procedures, through the implementation of trade facilitation reforms, such as the Cambodian National Single Window (CNSW), Pre-Arrival Processing (PAP) for cargo and road freight, the Best Trader Incentive Mechanism (BTIM) and the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO), and the Risk Management (RM). Moreover, the private sector lacks information on how to use the CNSW, the BTIM and the AEO, which results in few companies using them."}, {"bbox": [134, 797, 1135, 985], "category": "List-item", "text": "* Weak business environment and lack of comprehensive export support services. Cambodian private sector associations lack capacity to structure and follow up effectively proposals under the G-PSF. There are also market access obstacles for European companies, which require specific advocacy strategies to address them. At least two Ministries offer several business support services to SMEs (MoC and MISTI), but there is not a comprehensive system to provide advice in key areas such as market intelligence, market access and compliance, promotion and branding. Sector associations in selected value chains (cashew nuts and pepper) are incipient, and can't cover the current demand for these services by their members."}, {"bbox": [96, 1010, 1135, 1064], "category": "Text", "text": "Identification of main stakeholders and corresponding institutional and/or organisational issues (mandates, potential roles, and capacities) to be covered by the action:"}, {"bbox": [134, 1064, 1135, 1223], "category": "List-item", "text": "* The main counterpart is the Ministry of Commerce (MoC). It is responsible for trade policy making and coordination of its implementation. MoC leads the National Committee on Trade Facilitation, but the General Department for Customs and Excises (GDCE), under the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) is responsible for implementing trade facilitation reforms. MoC shares responsibilities primarily with Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MoPTC) (for e-data protection) and MEF (e-finance) for the implementation of the Law on e-Commerce."}, {"bbox": [134, 1223, 1135, 1276], "category": "List-item", "text": "* The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry MAFF is responsible for issuing SPS certificates and enforcing food safety standards on importers."}, {"bbox": [134, 1276, 1135, 1407], "category": "List-item", "text": "* The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, MISTI is the umbrella entity providing support services for SMEs, checking compliance with quality standards and regulations for products, as well as providing licenses for chemical products imports and exports. The Institute of Standards of Cambodia (ISC), under MISTI is responsible for the preparation and publication of Cambodian Standards and Guidelines for products, commodities, materials, services, practices and operations."}, {"bbox": [134, 1407, 1135, 1460], "category": "List-item", "text": "* The Cambodian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) is the apex business organization and plays a key role to advocate for the concerns and needs of the Cambodian business community. CCC co-chairs the G-PSF"}, {"bbox": [134, 1460, 1135, 1515], "category": "List-item", "text": "* The Ministry of Women Affairs and the Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs Association (CWEA), representing women in business' interests."}, {"bbox": [85, 1632, 556, 1658], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁴ Country Level Implementation Plan – CLIP Cambodia"}, {"bbox": [85, 1656, 1031, 1682], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁵ World Bank (2021) Women Entrepreneurs in Cambodia: Study on Support Programs for Innovation and Startup"}, {"bbox": [1037, 1682, 1144, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 7 of 23"}]