Over 200,000 use S Rieng OWS in five-year stretch

FROM 2018 to 2022, Svay Rieng provincial authorities had provided public services to more than 200,000 people through the One Window Service (OWS), generating a total of more than $3.5 million. Last year, the province collected more than $400 million in customs duties.

Provincial governor Men Vibol tabled the report at a press conference organised by the Government Spokesperson Unit on April 27.

“The OWS is now present in all eight towns and districts. We are working to establish the service in all 80 communes,” he said.

He claimed that the work meant the administration could provide a wide range of public services in a transparent, efficient way.

“In the past, these services were only available at the provincial level, meaning that people has to sacrifice time and money to access them,” he said.

To solve these challenges and address people’s concerns, we have fixed service charges, and established the length of duty. Therefore, when people apply for a service, the commune chief, financier and sealer are all there at the same time,” he explained.

In addition, Vibol said that in 2022, the administration collected about $400 million in customs revenue, an increase of 23 per cent compared to the previous year. Based on these figures, the provincial administration collects more than $30 million a month, or about $1.2 million a day.

“We are committed to implementing the government’s reform programmes, in terms of both public administration and financial management. The decentralisation and deconcentration reforms uphold the provision of public services and effective local development with transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and social equity. This is crucial, alongside a background of legal and judicial reforms and plays a major part in the fight against corruption,” he added.

Im Norin, Transparency International Cambodia project manager, said that the OWS was extremely convenient for the public, as many services were concentrated. He said that despite this benefit, officials still needed to be monitored to ensure that they stuck to the OWS pricing and timelines, in order to avoid corruption.

“Ombudsman office mechanisms are also important. They are necessary so that citizens can file complaints and know that they will be investigated impartially,” he added.