Insights from Improving Small Package E-Trade for SMEs (SeT4SME)

SeT4SME aims to support Cambodia in improving its trade performance and driving inclusive growth in the country by enhancing trade facilitation implementation with more transparency in trade practices and reduced time and cost of cross-border e-trade.

Take a deeper look into how SeT4SME is contributing to positive systematic changes in Cambodia's Trade Facilitation landscape.
Celebrating World MSME Day with SeT4SME Project
Improving Small Package e-Trade for Small and Medium Enterprises project (SeT4SME) celebrates World MSME Day and hopes to inspire more Micro, Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and Women-owned Businesses (WoBs) to join the e-commerce revolution and benefit from the opportunities offered by the digital economy.
The importance of Electronic Advanced Data for the growing e-commerce and small package parcel trade
'One of the most viable strategies to achieve national development goals in both developing and developed nations is to promote small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs increase competition, generate employment and develop entrepreneurship while boosting economic vitality at the community level and creating sustainable livelihoods.
Paving the way for Cambodian MSMEs and WOBs to venture into international trade
Globally MSMEs account for the majority of firms. As a result, MSMEs play an essential role in driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth in their communities. Studies show that when MSMEs trade, they increase productivity and grow their businesses. However, MSMEs are underrepresented in trade and face several challenges to trading that are aggravated by their size and limited resources. Many of these challenges can be mitigated by the implementation of the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement. Similarly, MSMEs are the backbone of Cambodia's economic growth. They account for 99% of the private sector contribution and contribute over 70% to employment and 58% to GDP. However, the MSMEs only account for a mere 10% of exports.
Preparing MSMEs for International Trade
‘Readiness’ is a critical factor that determines the effectiveness of implementing changes. Therefore, assessing the readiness factor of an entity is vital as it pinpoints the areas that need to be strengthened. In addition, such assessments can identify where support is required.

As part of the Improving Small Package e-Trade for SMEs (SeT4SME) project’s Intervention Workstream 2, i.e., E-Trade Portal Development and Promotion, a readiness factor assessment was conducted in December 2021. The evaluation aimed to understand the current and future capacity development needs of the Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs Association (CWEA) and the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Cambodia.