Taing Nguonly speaks at the April 24 seminar, themed ‘Time to Go Digital’. Hin Pisei
In a time of significant global political and economic changes, nearly all businesses — especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) — are facing numerous challenges. This situation demands that every business owner seek ways to enhance the resilience and sustainability of their businesses.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution has pushed the world toward a much stronger reliance on digital systems, particularly in commerce, which has become more expansive and faster than ever before.
To support economic development and the growth of digital businesses in Cambodia, the Techo Startup Center on April 24 hosted a seminar titled “Time to Go Digital”, with a focus on shared procedures for managing digital transformation in enterprises.
The Phnom Penh event brought together leaders from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, digital service providers and many business owners.
Taing Nguonly, executive director of the Techo Startup Center, explained that the purpose of the seminar was to help Cambodian business owners — especially SMEs — quickly embrace new trends in today’s rapidly changing world.
He emphasised that most people today use digital platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, so if business owners can leverage these tools to promote their products, they can reach customers faster and more effectively. He noted that this shift in behavior calls for real transformation.
“Going digital means that business owners are taking steps toward resilience for their businesses, increasing productivity and operational efficiency,” he said.
“If business owners continue operating traditionally without integrating into the digital ecosystem, their ability to compete will be far lower than their digital-savvy competitors, potentially leading to business closures,” he warned.
Te Taing Por, president of FASMEC, gives an interview to the media. Hin Pisei
Te Taing Por, president of the Federation of Associations for Small and Medium Enterprises of Cambodia (FASMEC), added that Cambodian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) still face many challenges in going digital, especially in rural areas. This requires cooperation between authorities and private-sector experts to conduct training courses or seminars that share knowledge and teach business owners and employees how to effectively use digital tools in their businesses.
“If Cambodia does not make a strong effort in this area, business owners and stakeholders will struggle to keep up and may face difficulties in engaging with their customers,” he stressed.
He also noted that improving digital literacy can significantly boost business growth and help companies enter international markets more rapidly. Today, the trend of marketing and sales is increasingly conducted through digital platforms.
According to Taing Por, there are currently around 700,000 MSMEs in Cambodia, up from over 500,000 in 2011.
