Now, let’s talk about senior engineers about the present and future of Cambodia. Japanese people can get information about Cambodia from the internet and news, but they don’t have many opportunities to know what Cambodian people actually think about their country. I hope that this is conveyed to the person reading the article.

【What do you think about living in Cambodia?】
(Naseath)
Cambodia is not growing rapidly, but I think it is growing steadily, with the construction of a new highway from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh and the construction of other infrastructures one after another.The IT field is also growing rapidly, and the number of younger generations learning about IT is increasing.The fields of robotics and AI are particularly popular, and in Cambodia, most people in their 20s and 30s work at IT companies.I believe that Cambodia has a lot of potential for growth in the future.
(Hazama)
After graduating from high school or university in Cambodia, do they come to Phnom Penh to work?(Langhy)
Not all, but I think most do. Phnom Penh is the largest city after all, so there are many employment opportunities. People use websites like LinkedIn and recruiting agencies to find jobs.
(Phanith)
Recently, there has been an increase in foreign investment in rural areas, and although not many, the number of people working in rural areas is increasing. In Sihanoukville, investment from China is thriving, and some people find employment at Chinese companies investing in Cambodia.
(Naseath)
There are also big differences between regions. Local cities such as Battambang have large markets, but some regions do not have such large markets. However, 10 years ago, there were no universities in some provinces, but now almost all provinces have universities, and it is now possible to receive a higher level of education than before. They are now able to receive an education in their hometown without having to spend a lot of money to study abroad or go to the city.
(Hazama)
By the way, how long have you lived in Phnom Penh?
(Langhy)
I am from Phnom Penh.
(Phanith)
I am from Kandal province next to Phnom Penh. It’s about 20km from here.
(Naseath)
I’m from Kampong Cham Province, and I first came to Phnom Penh in 2005, so 18 years ago.
(Ponlork)
I am also from Phnom Penh and grew up in Phnom Penh.

【About Cambodia 10 years ago and now】
(Hazama)
Everyone has been in Phnom Penh for a long time. How has Phnom Penh changed from 10 years ago to now? Also, what fields do you think technology will be used in?
(Ponlork)
I think the biggest advancement is technology. In particular, IoT technology is advancing rapidly, and new-generation businesses are increasing due to startups, so I think that such businesses will become even more active in the future.
(Phanith)
Especially in terms of transportation, I feel progress. Ten years ago, there were no means of transportation other than public transportation, but now you can easily arrange a car with Pass App or Grab. They provide services using a ride-hailing app.
(Phanith)
Especially in terms of transportation, I feel progress. Ten years ago, there were no means of transportation other than public transportation, but now you can easily arrange a car with Pass App or Grab. We provide services using a ride-hailing app. Banking services have also improved. In the old days, we had to go to the bank to deposit and withdraw money. However, ATMs have been increasing in Cambodia for a while, and now you can easily withdraw money with an app. I don’t remember having a bank card for a while. And with mobile apps, we can pay with QR codes at restaurants and markets without cash. Sending money to friends is also very easy.
(Hazama)
I agree. Now we can pay with the app even at the stalls around there. How did people arrange their rides before there was a ride-hailing app? Did you go out into the street and wait for a taxi to come?
(Phanith)
exactly. That’s why it was difficult in the countryside. Now, thanks to the app, I can hail a car from anywhere.
(Langhy)
I think this is a big change for us. It changed people’s lives and society as a whole. I feel the benefits of technology in almost every aspect of my life, such as shopping and ordering food. But in my case, I’ve been using online shopping for a long time, so I think it’s a big change for shopping. Large e-commerce platforms such as eBay and Amazon, which are services from other countries, can also be used in Cambodia. So, in my case, I think the banking system has become particularly convenient. I use a mobile banking platform called KHQR and it’s so convenient that I don’t use cash anymore except for small purchases. Anything is possible with an app and a QR code.
(Langhy)
L192 is a shopping site in Cambodia, and I don’t know if it’s funded by Cambodia, but there are many e-commerce platforms that can be used in Cambodia, and products are sent not only from Japan but also from China and Thailand. .
(Hazama)
The cityscape has changed a lot in the last 10 years, hasn’t it? I first came to Cambodia more than 10 years ago, but I don’t think there were so many tall buildings.
(Naseath)
I agree. The same is true for tall buildings, pedestrian bridges are being built to cross large roads, and as I said earlier, highways are extending to other cities. Cambodia’s growth rate is still not that fast. However, Cambodian society is built around young people. I believe there is more potential thanks to a new generation that is positive about education. When it comes to technology-based services, I don’t think there is a big difference between Japan and developed countries. Recently in Cambodia, more and more companies are using AI chatbots. However, the developed countries are large in scale, so there may be a difference there.

【Future development of Cambodia】

(Ponlork)
In anticipation of future development, real estate investments are being made every day in Cambodia, especially in Phnom Penh. I hope that the fiscal revenue will make the Cambodian economy bigger.(Naseath)
I agree. But I think that the problem is not just one field, but improvement is necessary in every field. Of course, I would like the technology field to continue to develop, but I also believe that other fields should be developed more. For example, I think that there is still a need for improvement, especially in agriculture and the livestock industry, and there is a lack of education in this regard. Agricultural systems are not yet in place, so the situation is dependent on the weather. The younger generation must be trained and nurtured to become skilled workers. So when we talk about Cambodia as a whole, we don’t just focus on technology. We must focus on Cambodian growth of all kinds. The most important thing, I think, is probably about the mindset. Cambodia was a civil war a little while ago, and the people were divided between people. More than 40 years have passed since then. Therefore, if the old and young generations unite once more, it is possible that the economy will grow further than it is now, and I think it is a very wonderful thing. I think we are all still united, but I want us to be more united. For example, after studying at school, students do extracurricular studies and also learn from instructors. We teach each other what we don’t understand. I think we can learn more than we learn on our own and we can be more united. For example, in the village where I am from, there is something like a student group. And we collect donations for those in need, and we all help each other for those who need help. The older generation has experience, so we teach it to the younger generation and create a system where they support each other.
(Phanith)
The government is also trying to grow Cambodia’s overall infrastructure. I heard that the government is trying to build an information network for the entire university using the Internet. And the government plans to build an e-government between 2022 and 2025. They bring together experts and engineers to improve many areas of Cambodian society and to build and grow infrastructure. That is why many industries are actively recruiting talented young people.

【About Cambodian education】

(Hazama)
What do you think about Cambodia’s education level?
(Phanith)
Still not high enough. So people who want to learn at a higher level go abroad to study. But now they can get information and knowledge from internet and learn online, so they can learn more easily than before. 10 years ago there was no internet.
(Naseath)
Long ago, about 15 years ago, wasn’t it? I used to work at an NGO-related school, but at that time everything was manually connected to the internet. That was about 15 years ago.
(Hazama)
What do you think Cambodia lacks and what do you wish it had more?
(Langhy)
I hope more Cambodian young generation will be interested in technology. I think that ChatGPT, which is currently attracting the most attention in the IT field, will become familiar to the younger generation, and I think it is necessary to understand how AI will be used in the future. I don’t know what it will be like in 5 or 10 years, but probably many jobs will be replaced by AI. If the younger generation understands and masters AI and the latest technology, I think they will be able to get higher-level, higher-paying jobs.
(Naseath)
I agree. I would also like to see more focus on education for young people. If they can receive a high-level education, they will be able to develop their thinking and imagination, and I think they will have the ability to respond quickly to change. There are many high schools and universities in Cambodia now, but the overall level is still not high. I think that the level of educators must also be raised. I think that if we raise the level of the whole, not just a few people, the whole country will improve. Cambodia also needs leadership. If someone with excellent leadership appears, I think we can also show a vision for the future. From now on, there is no doubt that AI will play a central role in the field of technology, and I don’t think it will be difficult to predict the future if we acquire the ability to master it. I think America is in the midst of that change right now. However, Cambodia is not yet there. I think it will take a little longer. That’s why I think I can prepare for change, and if Japanese people are interested in Cambodia, I think there will be many opportunities to play an active role.
【To be continued】