Cambodia Digital Awards 2022, the largest national ICT award ceremony was successfully held on December 6th at the Royal Train Square. This ceremony was presided over by H.E. Dr. CHEA Vandeth, Minister of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC), H.E. Dr. Sopheap Seng, President of Cambodia Academy of Digital Technology (CADT), Mr. Sovann Yao, CEO of Huawei Cambodia, and many other leaders from educational institutions and businesses.
H.E. Dr. CHEAVandeth said in his speech that this national award program aims to promote the digital transformation of the environment and contribute to the promotion of the use of digital technology and digital innovation in Cambodia. A winning company from last year called PillTech, with strong support from MPTC, was able to stand out in “ASEAN Information and Communication Technology Award 2021” and won the BEST Start Up in ASEAN for the year 2021.
In addition, H.E. Dr. CHEA Vandeth also mentioned the main plans of the Ministry in implementing the digital government policy 2022-2035. “The key priorities of MPTC is to strengthen the quality of services and expand the coverage of mobile and internet networks throughout the country, and highlighted a number of new initiatives focusing on digital infrastructure connectivity, digital talent development and the transformation of digital government and public services”.
Having supported the Cambodia Digital Awards for the second year, Huawei thanked MPTC and CADT for the invitation. Mr. Sovann Yao in his remarks echoed H.E. Dr. CHEA Vandeth by further elaborating the importance of connectivity, “Where there is road, there is hope, said Sandach Prime Minister. We often refer digital Infrastructure Connectivity as the road to digitalization. It is by all means the most important work for a digital Cambodia. Some enterprise owners and friends shared with us that, thanks to the fast mobile network development in Cambodia, they can have good communication and business using mobile APPs. But the goal cannot be achieved without partnerships of both Public and Private sectors, including the Ministry, companies like Huawei, carriers and ISP to work together, utilize the latest and best technologies to serve the Cambodian People”.
CDA is organized by CADT as a re-envision of the former Cambodia ICT Awards, oriented toward the expanding scope of ICT to digital in both regional and national level. Aiming at recognizing the best digital innovation in Cambodia, the Awards gives start-ups the opportunity to draw industry’s attention for a better growth. The 2022 winners are CheckinMe (Best Digital Startup), EZECOM (Best Digital Innovation Organization), CarnetDia (Best Social Innovation Technology), Techo Startup Center (Best Digital R&D), and E-school Cambodia (Best Digital Content).
H.E. Minister commended all parties for their close cooperation in helping to make this event a success, especially the leadership of CADT, judges from Huawei Cambodia and also other stakeholders.
Mr. Yao said, “With 3 years of development, we are now proudly serving over 100+ start-ups in Cambodia. All start-ups excite us and lights the way of digitalization ahead. The innovation of technologies, is a one of the major driving forces of the society. There are two main factors that pushes such innovation, firstly the continuous investment in R&D innovation and secondly talent development. Huawei invests 15% of its annual income in research and development. A total of 100 billion USD was invested in the past 5 years and the same level of investment will continue in the next 5 years in areas including 5G, AI, Cloud and Green Energy. In terms of talent development in Cambodia, Huawei is working with MPTC to train over 1,000 talents through all kinds of programs including hosting the “Seeds for the Future” with various universities in Cambodia, including CADT.” Mr. Yao also expressed Huawei’s willingness to further investing in these areas under the leadership of MPTC and H.E. Minister.
Mr. Yao encourages more entrepreneurs including partners from its own ecosystem to join the competition and contribute to the digitalization transformation, “30 years ago, Huawei was a small start-up with few staff and a small working space but full of hope and conviction. 30 years from now, I have no doubt that you will grow into enterprises better and larger than Huawei that will lead the digitalization of Cambodia to excel globally”, he said.
