Propelling Cambodia towards the Digital Future

Phnom Penh, 29th August 2017: Smart Axiata, Cambodia’s leading mobile telecommunications company, unveiled its Sustainability Report 2015-2016 (‘SR 2015-2016’) under the presence of H.E. Tram Iv Tek, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications of Cambodia, H.E. Dato’ Sri Hasan Malek, Ambassador of Malaysia to Cambodia and H.E. Ieng Sunly, Under Secretary of State of Ministry of Economy and Finance, alongside various ministry representatives and development partners. SR 2015-2016 outlines Smart’s approach to sustainability and highlights all national contributions during 2015 and 2016.

As a member of the Axiata Group , Smart Axiata’s SR 2015-2016 adheres to the Group’s reporting framework and was prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative’s G4 (GRI-G4) guidelines. The document discloses the company’s commitment and impact to the Economy, Environment and Society under four key Sustainability Pillars:

• Beyond Short-Term Profits: creating long-term value through our investments as well as ensuring inclusivity in our products and services.
• Nurturing People: developing world-class talent built on core values while providing a conducive workplace for creativity and innovation.
• Process Excellence: designing process improvements and governance to ensure greater effectiveness and efficiency in our customer care and our internal operations.
• Planet and Society: having initiatives aimed at mitigating our environmental impact, and our corporate social responsibility contributions to Cambodian society.

SR 2015-2016 is the second standalone Sustainability Report so far by Smart. It is constructed based on a two-year reporting period and particularly covers Smart’s initiatives during 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2016.

“SR 2015-2016 is a restatement of our overall vision, our achievements and a sustainability commitment transparently presented to our stakeholders and the public. In 2016 alone, Smart contributed 313 million USD to Cambodia’s national economy; this represents a significant 1.6% of the Cambodian GDP from a single company. Smart also remitted 65 million USD in tax, levies and regulatory fees and is therewith amongst the largest taxpayers in the country, standing for a whopping contribution of 3.6% of national tax income last year. This is clear evidence that Smart has always taken our national responsibilities very seriously – something our customers, stake- and shareholders can be proud of.” said Thomas Hundt, Smart Axiata’s Chief Executive Officer.

In 2016, the company also supported 40,656 jobs in Cambodia and directly employed 1,047 employees, 98% of whom are Cambodian nationals and 37% of whom are female. Smart is committed to nurturing talent and promoting employee’s personal growth and professional development through a conducive work environment, training programs, exposures and the rewarding of top performers.

Beyond Smart’s core business, the company has initiated and sponsored numerous CSR programs, projects and events, focusing on three key areas: Education, Green Environment and Community Sports in 2015-2016.

Notably, Smart has won the Best CSR Company in Cambodia Award by Global Banking and Finance Review for three consecutive years (2015, 2016 and 2017) for its various contributions to the society. The National Literacy Campaign which was supported by Smart was also awarded as Telecom Asia Best Community Project in 2016.

“Our CSR vision is to make significant positive change in the communities we operate in. Together with our major partners UNESCO, Sipar, STEM Cambodia, Happy Football Cambodia Australia, World Vision, National Olympic Committee of Cambodia and various ministries such as the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications of Cambodia, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and Ministry of Environment, Smart has managed to empower many Cambodians to believe in a better future,” Thomas added.

Since its start in 2008, Smart has spent over 967 million USD in capital and operating expenditure to drive the development and growth of the Kingdom’s mobile telecommunication and lately especially data services. 2015 and 2016 were no different while Smart spent a total of 140 million USD in capital investments to improve its network infrastructure. The company is also rapidly transforming itself into a digital lifestyle brand, having introduced new digital services and innovative solutions. In 2016, Smart introduced the 1st genuine and legal music streaming service in partnership with Universal Music and hosted two world-class International Mega Concerts featuring Demi Lovato and Jessie J, inspiring the local music scene.

“We will continue providing our customers with the best that mobile technology has to offer combined with exciting lifestyle entertainment value propositions, while playing an active role in the socio-economic growth of Cambodia. We recently launched 4.5G – strengthening our data leadership position in Cambodia, expanded our digital service portfolio, as well as introduced a new Tech Innovation CSR pillar. We even launched the 5 million USD Smart Axiata Digital Innovation Fund. Our investment in, and commitment to Cambodia has continued in 2017 and will remain continuously strong in the future,” Thomas concluded.