OW4C: Public Forum in Sangkat Nimit

On 10 September 2021, our OW4C project team in Banteay Meanchey conducted a public forum in Sangkat Nimit, Poipet. Around 70 participants joint the forum, most of whom were youth, students, market sellers, farmers, factory workers, and other ordinary citizens. The event was also attended by government officials from the provincial departments of taxation and land management, by representatives of the municipal administration and city councillors, the chiefs of One Window Service Unit and Office, as well as the Ombudsman. Mr. Vireak Oeun, the deputy governor of Poipet, emphasised the importance of conducting public fora, which help strengthen the capacity of the One Window Service and of the District Offices. Mr. Soriya Chheun, the chief of OWSU, presented the roles and responsibilities of his unit, and the heads of the Ombudsman offices at the municipal and provincial levels held similar presentations. During the forum, citizens raised more than ten questions, mostly related to document certification, land ownership transfers, and land tax. All questions have been addressed by the government officials. The event is part of our USAID-funded project dedicated to strengthening the capacity of the One Window Service Offices.