The One Window Service Office (OWSO) in Srei Santhor district of Kampong Cham province has been directing a campaign since May to encourage business owners with fixed locations to register for a licence as mandated by the Ministry of Commerce. Mobile street vendors are exempt from this requirement.
Chamroeun Sopheap, director of the district’s OWSO, stated that the initiative aims to streamline the management of local companies.
“The drive is designed to ensure that larger or well-organised enterprises properly register, making it easier for authorities to supervise them,” Sopheap said.
However, public awareness remains limited, according to Sopheap.
“Despite our efforts to clarify the requirements, some people think that even small ventures like selling grilled sticky rice need to file, which is not the case. Certain types of street vending, like selling sugar cane juice, are exempt,” she added.
Penn Sovicheat, spokesman for the ministry, emphasised the office’s encouragement rather than enforcement.
“We urge all businesses to engage with the ministry, but this doesn’t mean we’re forcing everyone, including street vendors, to apply for a licence,” Sovicheat said.
He added that registration at the national level is handled by the ministry to provide legal identities to companies.
“Operations with proper locations should register at their local OWSOs. It’s not an imposition but a legal obligation. Our goal is to gradually ensure that all businesses comply with the law for consumer protection and legal recognition,” Sovicheat said.
