CDC and ACLEDA Bank Partner to Digitalize Public Service Payments, Enhance Investment Climate

Cambodia Investment Review

The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) and ACLEDA Bank have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost the efficiency, transparency, and digital integration of public service fee collection in Cambodia, marking a significant milestone in public-private sector cooperation.

The agreement, signed on May 20, 2025, formalizes ACLEDA Bank’s support of the CDC’s Online Service Payment platform (cdcOSP), which facilitates digital payments for a range of public services related to investment procedures and permits. The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to modernize administrative systems, improve ease of doing business, and promote investor confidence.

Strengthening Digital Governance

From August 2024 to April 2025, public service revenue collection through ACLEDA’s integration with the cdcOSP system amounted to approximately 5.7 billion riel (around $1.4 million), accounting for 35 percent of total public service revenue collected by the CDC during that period. The collaboration aims to further increase this figure as the government pushes for broader adoption of digital financial services.

Heang Sotheayuth, Deputy Secretary General of the CDC, said the MoU strengthens the partnership between the public and private sectors, aligning with national goals of accelerating digitalization, enhancing governance, and streamlining investment procedures.

“Moving from cash-based payments to secure, bank-mediated digital systems will increase convenience for service users, while also reinforcing trust in Cambodia’s investment facilitation framework,” he noted.

Improving Investor Experience

Under the agreement, investors will be able to make payments using Cambodia’s national financial infrastructure—specifically the central bank’s Bakong KHQR system—as well as international debit and credit cards. This accessibility is expected to reduce processing time and increase ease of transaction for both local and foreign investors.

ACLEDA Bank President and Group Managing Director, In Channy, emphasized that the MoU reflects ACLEDA’s commitment to supporting the government’s vision of a modern, investor-friendly economy.

“By providing seamless digital payment services, we aim to support Cambodia’s drive for economic diversification, job creation, and international competitiveness,” Channy said. He added that greater efficiency in public service fee collection would help attract more investors and encourage formalization across the economy.

Platform Development and Integration

The cdcOSP platform, launched in late 2023, is designed to consolidate various public service fee transactions into a single, integrated digital system. ACLEDA Bank has been a key technological partner in the platform’s development and deployment.

In tandem with the payment system, the CDC introduced the Investment Project Management System (cdcIPM) on July 31, 2024. This platform provides investors with a centralized dashboard to manage applications, permits, and compliance reporting, reinforcing the government’s commitment to administrative reform and digital service delivery.

Together, the cdcOSP and cdcIPM platforms are positioned to streamline regulatory procedures and promote a more transparent and efficient investment environment—key factors in boosting investor confidence and long-term economic development.

Looking Ahead

The MoU is the latest in a series of digital reforms under Cambodia’s ongoing effort to position itself as a regional hub for business and investment. As more government agencies adopt integrated payment solutions and centralized digital systems, the CDC and ACLEDA partnership may serve as a model for similar collaborations across other sectors.

The CDC’s strategy reflects broader national objectives outlined in Cambodia’s Digital Economy and Society Policy Framework 2021–2035, which envisions the development of a modern digital government that enhances service delivery, fosters economic resilience, and strengthens international competitiveness.