(Sihanoukville): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet urged the elimination of overlapping and overly complex administrative procedures, warning that they are hindering business operations and reducing national competitiveness.

The premier spoke on Friday (May 1) during a ceremony marking the 140th anniversary of International Workers' Day and the 30th anniversary of Japan’s cooperation with Sihanoukville Autonomous Port.

He instructed the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and relevant institutions to strengthen coordination under a “single-actor system,” aimed at improving service management and building trust among domestic and international businesses.

Samdech Thipadei underscored that inefficient systems can undermine even the best infrastructure, technology, and workforce. “No matter how advanced our infrastructure or how capable our people are, overlapping and complicated procedures will limit our competitiveness,” he said.

He also highlighted inefficiencies in export processing, noting that even ports capable of handling up to two million TEUs will struggle to compete if processing takes three days, compared to just one day in other countries.

On the occasion, the prime minister called for streamlined, transparent, and user-friendly procedures, stressing that systems should serve all clients equally rather than being accessible only to a few. He added that modernization efforts must focus not only on technology but also on simplifying processes to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Meanwhile, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet also commended the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port and related institutions, including customs authorities, for ongoing efforts to streamline import-export procedures, cut processing times, and adopt new technologies.
=FRESH NEWS