The Ministry of Public Works and Transport will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ACLEDA Bank and ABA Bank to facilitate the payment of public service fees via Port EDI, an electronic data exchange system.
On May 20, 2022, the ministry’s Department of Maritime Merchandise Ship Department held a meeting to discuss the procedure for paying public service fees for applying for a permit to enter a port in Cambodia using Port EDI.
The MoU will complement the services of its existing partner, Wing Bank, in a bid to offer better public service payments and wider options.
Mak Sideth, director-general for Waterway, Marine Transport and Port, told The Post on May 23, that the expansion of partnerships on public service fees will open more opportunities between the public and private sectors.
Public service fee for applying for a permit to enter a port in Cambodia under the Port EDI was introduced in 2019.
“We are expanding our partnership with these banks to provide better options for private shipbuilding companies,” said Sideth.
The service fee for one vessel is $100 at all ports. About 200 to 300 vessels pay the public service fee via Port EDI every month.
“There is no difference in the fee based on ship size. All ships pay this amount,” he said.
Speaking to The Post, Cambodia Logistics Association president Sin Chanthy said paying via an electronic system is always convenient for consumers.
“Of course we support and want more banking or payment options to facilitate the private sector on Port EDI public service fees. The transformation in payment and filing to electronic services in the transport and logistics sector has saved us time and enabled prompt response,” he said.
Meanwhile, Logistics Business Association president Chea Chandara said the ministry’s cooperation with new partners in the payment services in Port EDI will be beneficial for private companies as it saves time and ensures security.
“The public sector today has done a lot of work for the development of digital systems, such as registration, documentation and payments. Several countries are turning to digital payments because they are more efficient and less risky,” he said.
The Port EDI system is a large-scale modernisation of entry-exit navigation control in Cambodia, switching from manual to online.
Currently, all entry-exit navigation procedures are long, difficult and complicated but Port EDI cuts down procedures, thus ensuring efficiency and transparency.
The government has been promoting the project of electronic data exchange system at the target port by preparing a draft sub-decree on the electronic data exchange system (Port EDI) to make the implementation of this system project more efficient, better, easier and more legal.
This sub-decree is scheduled to be submitted to the government for approval in the near future.
