Connecting Cambodia to a Sustainable Future

Smart Axiata unveils Sustainability Report 2017

Phnom Penh, 19^th October 2018: Smart Axiata presented its Sustainability Report 2017 today at Topaz, showcasing key highlights of its national socio-economic impact throughout that year to multi-stakeholders, including H.E. Tram Iv Tek, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, various ministry representatives and development partners.

The company’s sustainability framework, in line with that of its shareholder Axiata Group, encompasses elements along four key pillars:

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

“At Smart, we recognize that we have an immense responsibility to ensure that our business grows together with our local stakeholders and communities. We continue to be transparent indisclosing our efforts while managing our long-term impact on the triple bottom line of the economy, environment and society – a testament to our long-term commitment towards sustainability while maintaining high performance,” said Thomas Hundt, Smart Axiata CEO.

In 2017 alone, Smart contributed 339 million USD to Cambodia’s national economy – this represents a significant 1.5% of the Cambodian GDP. The company also supported 52,554 jobs across its value chain.

Smart remitted 76 million USD in tax, levies and regulatory fees, whereby its tax payments alone represented 3% of total national tax income. Furthermore, Smart committed to carry out projects that drive ICT infrastructure and human resource development by utilizing its contributions of more than 6.5 million USD to the Universal Service Obligation Fund and the Capacity Building and R&D Fund.

Beyond Smart’s core business, the company continued its National Champion agenda through various CSR initiatives, notably under its Education Pillar and the new Tech Innovation Pillar. Besides doubling the SmartEdu Scholarship Program intake, the SmartStart Young Innovator Program was launched to realize digital business ideas as well as promote technopreneurship among university students.

“Smart has always taken our national responsibilities very seriously. Besides contributing to national development funds and government income, over 1% of Smart’s annual revenue is allocated for CSR programs that make significant impact at the communities in which we operate,” Thomas added.

Since its inception in 2008, the company has spent over 1.19 billion USD in capital and operating expenditure to drive the development of the Kingdom’s telecommunication and ICT sector.

Smart is also making strong inroads towards becoming Cambodia’s Digital Champion by 2020. In addition to being the first telco to launch 4.5G in 2017, Smart introduced more innovative services, locked-down new entertainment partnerships and increased its digitization initiatives. Smart also achieved a new milestone by launching the 5 million USD Smart Axiata Digital Innovation Fund, the Kingdom’s first digital venture capital fund, focused on investing in Cambodian-based digital startups.

“I am proud of our increased national contribution, business performance and societal impact. We will build on our mobile data leadership and exciting lifestyle entertainment portfolio while playing an active role in developing the Kingdom’s digital ecosystem. Our investment in, and commitment to Cambodia has continued this year and will remain strong in the future,” Thomas concluded.

Access http://smart.com.kh/sustainability-report-2017/ to download the Smart Axiata Sustainability Report 2017. For more information on Smart’s sustainability and corporate responsibility initiatives, follow Smart’s “Smart for Cambodia” Facebook page at www.facebook.com/smartforcambodia or visit www.smart.com.kh.

 

About Smart

Smart Axiata Co., Ltd., Cambodia’s leading mobile telecommunications operator, currently serves 8 million subscribers under the ‘Smart’ brand. Smart Axiata is part of Axiata Group Berhad, one of Asia’s largest telecommunications groups.

Smart is at the forefront of mobile technology advancement in Cambodia. Smart was the first network to introduce 4G LTE in 2014, 4G+ in 2016 and 4G+ with HD Voice (VoLTE) in early 2017. In mid-2017, Smart introduced cutting-edge 4.5G, manifesting its data leadership position in Cambodia. Smart also provides 2G, 2.5G, 3G and 3.75G mobile services as well as international roaming across more than 190 countries. Its extensive nationwide network coverage stretches to more than 98% of the Cambodian population.

The company is also rapidly transforming itself into a digital lifestyle brand, having introduced many innovative offerings and lifestyle entertainment value propositions. This includes various international partnerships, with brands as diverse as Universal Music, Apple, Facebook and iflix, as well as digital services including SmartLuy, Smart Insurance, SmartPay, Smart Music and SmartNas. Smart aspires to become Cambodia’s Digital Champion, while playing an active role in socio-economic growth.

The company’s workforce consists of more than 1000 local and foreign experts. Smart is committed to its customers, employees and the people of Cambodia, in delivering its promise of enriching their lives through world-class networks, exceptional digital experiences and through significant corporate social responsibility engagements.

Live. Life. Be Smart.