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Cambodia: Scheme to facilitate CO issuance expands
Starting Friday, the commerce departments in Takeo, Kampot, and Koh Kong will be able to issue the ‘D form’ of the certificate of origin (CO), facilitating export operations for traders in the provinces.
With effect from Nov 1, exporters and traders in Takeo, Kampot, and Koh Kong no longer have to travel to the capital to secure the D form, which is needed to obtain a certificate of origin.
Since 2017, the Ministry of Commerce has been delegating the issuance of D forms to provincial departments. The goal is to facilitate business activity and exports and save time and money to companies.
The scheme now includes fourteen provinces – Ratanakkiri, Tboung Khmum, Pailin, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Kratie, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri, Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Kampot, and Koh Kong.
Srey Kumpheak, director of Kampot’s Department of Commerce, told Khmer Times yesterday that the scheme makes things easier for companies that export agricultural goods.
“This is an important move that allows the authorities to provide better service to exporters and traders in the province,” he said, noting that Kampot exports mostly mango and pepper.
“This helps companies save time and money, and makes it easier to promote our agricultural goods abroad.”
He explained that the D form is used for shipments within Asean.
Applying for the D form at a provincial commerce department takes just 16 hours while doing so at the Ministry of Commerce in Phnom Penh takes between 10 days and two weeks, according to the ministry.
The ministry said it will expand the scheme to all provinces.
The government recently said traders no longer have to secure certificates of origin if the destination country does not require them.
Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50655401/scheme-to-facilitate-co-issuance-expands/