Policy Talk

The Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) and The Asia Foundation are co-organizing a virtual Policy Talk on “Investigating and understanding the impacts of COVID-19 on tourism workers and MSME in tourism sector in Cambodia.” on Monday, 21 December 2020 @10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

About the Event

The Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) and The Asia Foundation are co-organizing a virtual Policy Talk on “Investigating and understanding the impacts of COVID-19 on tourism workers and MSME in tourism sector in Cambodia.” The discussion will focus on economic impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on tourism workers and MSMEs in the tourism sector and small businesses related to tourism supply chain. CPS had conducted survey projects on “Assessing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic situation on tourism worker in Cambodia” and “Understanding Covid-19 impacts on MSMEs in tourism sector in Cambodia.” The first survey investigated the real situation and challenges faced by the laid-off workers in the tourism sector and seek solutions that are practical for government and other partners to consider. The latter survey looked at real impacts of disruption caused by Covid-19 on micro/small enterprises, and vulnerable workers.

The situation of Covid-19 is still uncertain and enormous concerns have been raised over the risks of laid-off workers having no income to meet their daily needed consumptions and provide support to their families. MSMEs in tourism sector in Cambodia have experienced significant impacts from the global pandemic in terms of reduced consumption and disrupted value chain. However, there are limited data available on how the Covid-19 pandemic impacts MSMEs, how the MSMEs are coping with the crisis, and how government programs can be most effectively targeted for maximum benefits of laid-off workers and affected small business value chain. It could cause unprecedented social and economic problems if no appropriate policy options to address the problems. CPS’s survey findings have helped track the evolving of the situation.

Questions on unprecedented impacts and potential policy options to cope with crisis by tourism workers and MSMEs in tourism sector might be of great interests for the general public and relevant stakeholders. The key questions could be “How tourism workers and MSMEs in tourism sector have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic? How did the laid-off workers receive their payments and compensation and what are the coping strategies they have for daily survival? How the government reaches out to the laid-off workers and other vulnerable workers, and what could be improved? How MSMEs operate their business during Covid-19 pandemic? What are the government programs and interventions to support MSMEs during the pandemic? What have been adapting and coping strategies of the MSMEs in tourism sector to deal with the impacts of covid-19 pandemic?” The answers to these questions will be given by the report authors, enriched with different views from researchers, relevant policy makers, and key stakeholders working in the sector.

Organizing Partners

Co-host: Centre for Policy Studies and The Asia Foundation

Funding: Supported by the Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through The Asia Foundation’s Ponlok Chomnes Program and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) through the Ambassador Fund

Type of Event: Invitation based virtual discussion in Khmer language

Speakers:

1. Mr. Bronh Sopheana, Deputy Secretary General, National Council for Minimum Wage of The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT), the Speaker

2. Mr. Chan Sophal, Director of CPS with rich experience in research and policy analysis, the Speaker

3. H.E. Chhay Sivlin, the President of Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), the Speaker

4. A Representative from Ministry of Economic and Finance, the Speaker

5. Ms. Heang Sophea, Program Manager at The Asia Foundation, the Moderator

Audiences: Participants for the Policy Talk include independent researchers, lecturers, students, government officials and other stakeholders from think tanks, university, and non-governmental organizations. All participants are invited to join virtually.

Format

This Policy Talk will be organized virtually through an online platform as a moderated, panel discussion with representatives from research organizations and the co-hosting organizations. This Policy Talk begins with a brief introduction and remarks followed by a panel discussion and questions and answers.

Technical Requirement

Participants will be required to access the internet in order to join this virtual policy talk, which will be conducted through Zoom. Invite link to the event will be shared with participants in the invitation letter/email. Participants are required to register prior to the event.

Tentative Program (90 minutes)

09:45-10:00      Zoom platform is open

10:00-10:05      Opening by the moderator

10:05-10:15      Brief introduction of guest speakers by the moderator

10:15-11:00      Panel discussion

11:00-11:25      Q&A

11:25-11:30      Closing

About Organizers

Centre for Policy Study

Founded in late 2014, the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) is an independent and autonomous think tank that focuses on policy-oriented research and policy analysis to inform and influence policy making for inclusive and sustainable development in Cambodia. CPS envisions that with adherence to the principles of market economy and liberal democracy, Cambodia will continue to maintain peace and stability, undertake gradual transformation, promote equitable and inclusive development and uphold the rule of law so that the country will have a well-educated citizenry and achieve an advanced status by 2050.

The Asia Foundation

The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives across a dynamic and developing Asia. Informed by six decades of experience and deep local expertise, our work across the region addresses five overarching goals—strengthen governance, empower women, expand economic opportunity, increase environmental resilience, and promote regional cooperation.

Ponlok Chomnes: Data and Dialogue for Development in Cambodia

In partnership with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, The Asia Foundation is implementing Ponlok Chomnes: Data and Dialogue for Development in Cambodia—a three-year initiative (2019-2022)—to strengthen the capacity of knowledge sector institutions to undertake quality research that informs public policy analysis and dialogue in Cambodia.