The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) and the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) have expressed significant concerns regarding a series of warehouse inspections and goods seizures carried out by various authorities. These actions have been noted as deviating from established legal procedures and notably lacking the essential technical coordination and participation from customs officials. This crucial observation was highlighted during an urgent meeting held on the afternoon of June 18, focusing on measures within the transportation sector, as well as the unauthorized inspection of warehouses and the subsequent confiscation of goods by local authorities.
The emergency meeting was jointly led by Mr. Kun Nhem, Director General of the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia, and Mr. Lim Heng, Vice President of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce. The session, convened at the GDCE headquarters, aimed to thoroughly explore the challenges confronting the private sector. Discussions centered specifically on the implications of recent transport sector regulations and the contentious warehouse inspections and goods seizures conducted by local authorities.
According to the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, the urgent gathering on June 18 meticulously focused on the adverse impacts these non-compliant inspections and seizures by competent authorities were having on the overall business environment. Significant negative effects were observed across production chains and worker employment. The meeting drew a diverse array of private sector participants, including leaders of associations, company presidents, and representatives from firms involved in the transportation sector, warehousing, and both import and export activities supporting domestic production.
During the comprehensive discussion, attendees deliberated upon and listened to the myriad challenges faced by the private sector in its commercial and investment activities. The primary objective of the meeting was to facilitate an urgent internal dialogue, allowing for the meticulous collection of information, systematic recording of all concerns raised, and the strategic formulation of solutions tailored for the private sector. The Chamber of Commerce emphasized that the inspections and crackdowns on goods in warehouses, conducted without adherence to proper legal procedures, have precipitated severe financial crises for businesses due to production halts. These actions have resulted in immediate income loss for entrepreneurs and have put them at risk of being unable to meet their bank loan obligations.
As a direct outcome of this critical meeting, the General Department of Customs and Excise and the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce unanimously agreed to jointly request an urgent intervention discussion. The purpose of this proposed discussion is to clearly define the standard operating procedures and ensure strict adherence to legal frameworks by all authorities tasked with conducting inspections, thereby safeguarding legal compliance and fostering a predictable business environment.
