Cambodia is targeting at least 2 million registrations of informal workers and businesses by 2028, as the government accelerates efforts to bring more economic activity into the formal sector and expand access to social protection, skills training and financial services.
Industry Minister Hem Vanndy announced the target on Thursday while marking a milestone of more than half a million approved registrations under the National Strategy on Informal Economic Development 2023–2028. The government is using digital registration to make formalisation more accessible to workers and small businesses across the country.
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Key Facts
2028 target: At least 2 million informal workers and businesses registered.
Applications received: 568,582 as of November 6, 2026.
Applications approved: 532,247.
Approval rate: Approximately 93.6%.
Daily applications: Around 2,000.
Skills-training support: Vouchers worth $150 for eligible registered informal workers.
Economic significance: The informal economy accounts for an estimated 40% of Cambodia’s GDP and 85% of total employment.
Cambodia Records More Than 532,000 Approved Registrations
According to the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI), the Digital Platform for Onboarding the Informal Economy, known as CAM-IE, had received 568,582 applications by November 6. Of these, 532,247 had been approved.
Approximately 95% of applicants completed registration independently, primarily through a mobile application launched in December 2024.
The platform is currently receiving around 2,000 applications per day, indicating continued uptake of the government's digital formalisation initiative.
Speaking at the milestone event, Hem Vanndy, who chairs the Coordinating Committee for the Development of the Informal Economy, said the registrations reflected government efforts to help informal workers and small businesses enter the formal economy.
He said registration could improve access to government support while enabling workers and businesses to contribute more effectively to broader economic development.
Registration Opens Access to Social Protection and Financial Support
Under the National Strategy on Informal Economic Development 2023–2028, registered informal workers can access several incentives designed to improve their economic security and business capacity.
These include:
Social protection: Voluntary membership in the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
Insurance: Free insurance coverage provided through private-sector partners.
Skills development: Training vouchers worth $150.
Digitalisation: Grants for digital solutions, alongside free digital invoicing and point-of-sale systems.
Tax support: Access to tax incentives.
Financing: Improved access to financial services and financing opportunities.
The incentives are intended to make formal registration more beneficial for workers and small businesses, particularly those that have traditionally operated outside formal systems.
By linking registration with practical support, the government aims to encourage participation rather than relying solely on administrative requirements.
Informal Economy Represents 40% of GDP and 85% of Employment
The scale of Cambodia's informal economy highlights the importance of the formalisation programme.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance estimates that informal economic activities account for approximately 40% of Cambodia's gross domestic product and 85% of total employment.
These figures underline the sector's significant contribution to livelihoods and national economic activity, while also highlighting the challenge of extending formal social protection and support services to a large share of the workforce.
For many informal workers and small businesses, formal registration could provide a pathway to better access to training, insurance, financing and digital business tools.
The government views formalisation as an important measure for reducing poverty, narrowing social inequality and strengthening the economy's resilience.
Government Seeks to Accelerate Formalisation Through Digital Registration
The CAM-IE platform is central to the government's approach, allowing workers and businesses to apply for registration independently through digital channels.
With more than 532,000 applications approved by November 6, the programme has made measurable progress. However, reaching the 2 million target by 2028 will require a substantial expansion of participation.
The current pace of approximately 2,000 applications daily provides an indication of platform activity, although the number of applications received should be distinguished from the number ultimately approved.
Continued awareness campaigns, accessible registration services and effective delivery of promised incentives will be important to encouraging more informal workers and businesses to participate.
Angkor Times Analysis
Cambodia's target of registering at least 2 million informal workers and businesses by 2028 represents a significant step towards broadening the country's formal economic base.
The opportunity extends beyond registration numbers. With the informal economy estimated to account for 85% of employment, connecting workers to social protection, skills development and financial services could have meaningful implications for household security and workforce productivity.
For small businesses, access to digital invoicing, point-of-sale systems and financing could also support more organised operations and improve their ability to participate in formal supply chains.
The central challenge will be converting registration into sustained economic benefits. Workers and business owners need to see practical value in formalisation, including accessible services and incentives that are delivered effectively.
If the programme achieves this, Cambodia's formalisation drive could strengthen the foundations for more inclusive growth, improved labour protection and a more resilient SME sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Cambodia's informal economy registration target for 2028?
Cambodia aims to register at least 2 million workers and businesses operating in the informal economy by 2028.
2. How many informal economy registrations have been approved?
As of November 6, 2026, CAM-IE had approved 532,247 applications out of 568,582 received.
3. What is the CAM-IE platform?
CAM-IE is the Digital Platform for Onboarding the Informal Economy. It allows informal workers and businesses to apply for registration, primarily through a mobile application launched in December 2024.
4. What benefits can registered informal workers access?
Available incentives include voluntary NSSF membership, free insurance coverage through private-sector partners, $150 skills-training vouchers, digitalisation support, tax incentives and improved access to financing.
5. How important is the informal economy to Cambodia?
The Ministry of Economy and Finance estimates that the informal economy accounts for approximately 40% of GDP and 85% of total employment.