The Ministry of Commerce plans to incorporate consumer protection dispute mechanisms and resolutions into the draft 2022-2030 postal sector development policy to encourage businesses to use technology effectively to monitor transportation and the delivery of goods within the country and across borders.
In a meeting with the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications via video link on July 27, commerce minister Pan Sorasak underscored that the draft policy has many benefits.
The policy is necessary now and in the future as it covers issues and prepares strategies, action plans, mechanisms while accompanied by key indicators to monitor, review and evaluate the results of implementation.
In order to further improve the draft policy, Sorasak said his ministry has requested the meeting to review and consider some points related to the Law on Consumer Protection, which was promulgated on November 2, 2019.
“Our ministry proposes to include the wording, mechanism and resolution of consumer protection disputes in accordance with the provisions of the consumer protection law, as well as the institutions already established in point 6.2 and Annex 1 of the draft postal development policy,” he explained.
In addition, the ministry also asked that a detailed description of the action plan in points 4, 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5 facilitate the implementation.
The aim is to encourage businesses to use new technologies in an efficient and reliable manner for tracking and goods shipments, management of invoices, electronic customs declarations, and the various aspects of relationships between business owners and customers for domestic and cross-border shipments.
Sorasak suggested that exceptions be considered, those that are allowed by law and international agreements.
This is in relation to the business owner’s responsibility to deliver goods in accordance with “product standards, standards related to safety, health, security, social order and the lawful rights and prudential rights of our people and the interests of all parties involved”.
Telecoms ministry secretary of state So Visothy told The Post that the draft policy was designed to strengthen and expand the provision of comprehensive postal services.
This, he said, is in line with quality, effectiveness, efficiency, safety and reliability of postal services.
It would also support the diversification of postal services while modernising the use of digital technology to contribute to the development of e-commerce and diversification of the economy.
Preparation of the draft policy started in May 2021 with the study of documents of legal standard and relevant policies in Cambodia and overseas.
Consultations with relevant ministries, institutions, the private sector, national and international experts were also undertaken before it was submitted to the Economic and Financial Policy Committee for review.
“This policy is a guideline for the development of postal network infrastructure, legal standard development, modernisation, quality improvement, consumer protection, environmental protection and research and innovation.
“It would also assist human resource training and strengthen the capacity of management institutions and the provision of postal services to a wide range of rural areas,” he said.
Additionally, development of the postal sector would cover a number of areas, such as transportation and trade, especially e-commerce and a digital infrastructure, which will be implemented soon.
