The Cambodian government is partnering up with tech associations to boost the transfer of technology into the Kingdom and lay the foundations for the creation of smart cities in the near future.

The National Institute of Posts, Telecoms and ICT yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Smart City Consortium in Cambodia and the Smart City Consortium in Hong Kong that aims to facilitate the transfer of technology and build ICT expertise.

Seng Sopheap, president of NIPTICT, told Khmer Times the agreement will enable Cambodia to benefit from Hong Kong’s know-how in fintech and cybersecurity as well as technologies like blockchain.

He added the partnership will boost the government’s capacity to develop smart cities in a future not too distant, although he noted that no concrete projects to build a smart city are on the table yet.

“We don’t have any specific projects in mind yet, but this agreement represents a good starting point from which to explore the many possibilities in the creation of smart cities and the transfer of advanced technologies.

“Eventually, we aim to launch a number of pilot projects with Hong Kong-based companies to help us build our capacity, and acquire new technology, particularly in fintech and the Internet of Things.”

Clube Ng, chairman of the Smart City Consortium in Hong Kong, said the ultimate goal of the agreement is to help the government build its first smart city in the country.

“Hong Kong is a hub for advanced technology, and we are willing to share our expertise with the Cambodian government. In exchange, we ask that the government supports our work by implementing the right policies and issuing the right regulations,” he said.

Jones Chan, chairman of the Smart City Consortium in Cambodia, said the agreement represents a great opportunity to advance the local ICT sector.

“Cambodia needs this influx of expertise and knowledge from abroad to develop its own capabilities when it comes to cybersecurity, fintech and a number of other ICT-related areas,” he said, adding that they will propose a project to the government to build a fintech zone.

Source: KhmerTimes