Cambodia
Quick Facts
| Population | 16 million (2017) |
| GDP at PPP (current international dollars) | 64 billion (2017) |
| GDP per capita at PPP (current international dollars) | 4,002 (2017) |
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Cambodia has made major advances in agriculture through increased productivity, and the diversification and commercialization of key crops. Cambodia has stimulated the growth of competitive farms and rural enterprises, connected rural areas to markets, and created more jobs. Other agriculture projects include the building of sustainable rural infrastructure, such as irrigation systems, and promoting productivity, competitiveness, and climate change resilience.
Cambodia is also working to provide an adequate supply of energy throughout the country at an affordable price. This is designed to bring the economic benefits of a reliable energy supply to people in rural areas, while at the same time encouraging investment, and building the national economy. In coordination with its GMS partners, Cambodia is exploring sustainable options for the exploration and development of its energy resources, while at the same time taking a leadership role in green growth initiatives.
Cambodia has one of the world’s most spectacular environments. With rich diversity in species and ecosystems, Cambodia’s forests, wetlands and coastlines are among the best preserved in Asia. Cambodians have recognized this environmental treasure, and are working to better manage rapid economic growth with sustainable environmental practices. This includes protecting vital water resources, such as Cambodia’s great lake – the Tonle Sap – and working to control floods that particularly hurt the poor and vulnerable.
Like other GMS countries, Cambodia needs to develop its human resources in order to sustain economic growth, create more jobs, and further reduce poverty. With the support of its partners, Cambodia is working to educate and train its people to be globally competitive. The country has seen an increase in overall student enrolment, an improved curriculum, and a greater focus on vocational training and career orientation. There has been a particular focus the training of health professionals, and the protection of Cambodian workers migrating to nearby countries.
The number of fixed and mobile telecommunications users is rapidly expanding in Cambodia, as is Internet usage. The government has worked, in coordination with its GMS partners, to improve the policy and regulatory environment for telecommunications. With cross-border connections to Thailand, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam, Cambodians are becoming increasingly connected to their GMS neighbors. This has spurred economic activity, and greater access to global and regional knowledge resources.
Tourism in Cambodia has skyrocketed in recent years, with visitors – many from neighboring GMS countries – touring ancient Khmer sites, such as Angkor Wat. In addition to the lively capital of Phnom Penh, visitors are exploring the picturesque Tonle Sap Lake, the majestic Mekong River, the unspoiled Cardamom Mountains, and the alluring southern coasts near Sihanoukville. The country is working with its GMS partners to develop a sustainable tourism sector that reduces poverty and protects natural resources and culture. Projects are underway to develop human resources that serve the tourism sector, and build tourist-related infrastructure.
Cambodia is encouraging trade and investment by working to develop a strong private sector that supports both small enterprises and large corporations. The country also recognizes the importance of microfinance for the poor. Cambodia is working to strengthen the regulatory regime governing financial institutions and promote private sector involvement in regional integration. Cambodia’s fast-growing economy still needs more modern financial infrastructure, including effective bank and insurance regulations.
In the area of transport, Cambodia has benefited from the development of the Southern Economic Corridor: a package of diverse investments along three major subregional routes – one cutting across northern Cambodia including Siem Reap, another running along the western coast, and the third a modern highway that links Phnom Penh, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City. These vital thoroughfares have spurred economic growth in communities all along the corridors, and beyond. Cambodia is also working to upgrade its national highway system, particularly roads that link rural areas to cities. The country’s airports and rail system have also been improved, and are slated for further upgrades.
This is the joint statement from the 17th GMS Ministerial Conference in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in August 2011.
The Ministers of Tourism of the six GMS countries (Cambodia, People’s Republic of China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam) met in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 17 January 2011.
Senior officials from the GMS National Tourism Organizations (NTOs), and representatives from the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) and development partners including the Asian Development Bank, UNESCO, French Embassy, UNDP, and Spanish Embassy also attended.
The meeting was held in conjunction with the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2011.
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (4 August 2011) – Key development partners of the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program met senior officials of the GMS countries to discuss support for the new Strategic Framework 2012-22 that will guide the program over the next decade. The meeting was part of the 17th GMS Ministerial Conference held on 2-4 August in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (1 August 2011) – Representatives of the Greater Mekong Subregion countries reaffirmed their continued support for regional cooperation on biodiversity conservation and environmental management.
The Third Greater Mekong Subregion Environment Ministers Meeting (EMM-3) was held in the Presidential Peace Building in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 28 July, 2011.
Based on the theme of “Sustaining Natural Resources for Green and Inclusive Growth”, the meeting aimed to reaffirm mutual recognition of common environmental concerns important to the GMS and to generate recognition, commitment and support by GMS countries to tackle these concerns through regional cooperation in particular through the GMS Economic Cooperation Program.
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (26 July 2011) - Environment ministers of the six Greater Mekong Subregion countries are expected to decide on the program framework for continued regional environmental cooperation when they hold the 3rd GMS Environment Ministers’ Meeting on 28 July.
- Read more about Greater Mekong Subregion Ministers to Move to New Phase of Environmental Cooperation
This joint statement was issued at the 3rd GMS Environment Ministers' Meeting on 28 July 2011 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The Tenth Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee meeting (RPTCC-10) was held in Siem Reap, Cambodia on 25-27 May 2011.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (25 January 2011) - The Asian Development Bank will continue to help countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion promote tourism as a way to reduce poverty. The announcement came at the 2011 ASEAN Tourism Forum in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh.
MANILA, PHILIPPINES (13 December 2010) - The Asian Development Bank is supporting the governments of Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic and Viet Nam in a community-driven initiative to conserve more than 1.9 million hectares of threatened forest land, home to over 170,000 mostly poor, ethnic minority people.