Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cambodians hope that both sides will reach a compromise and that in time this surprise
result will put pressure on the CPP to introduce much-needed political and electoral re-
form. The next five years will be very interesting indeed.
Economy
Badly traumatised by decades of conflict, Cambodia's economy was long a gecko amid
the neighbouring dragons. This has slowly started to change, as the economy has been lib-
eralised and investors are circling to take advantage of the new opportunities. Asian in-
vestors are flocking to Phnom Penh, led by the Chinese and South Koreans who have
inked deals for skyscrapers all over the low-rise city.
The government, long shunned by international big business, is keen to benefit from all
these newfound opportunities. Contracts are being signed off like autographs and there are
concerns for the long-term development of the country. China has come to the table to
play for big stakes, and is now annually pledging as much as all the other donors put to-
gether, with no burdensome strings attached.
Aid was long the mainstay of the Cambodian economy, supporting half the govern-
ment's budget, and NGOs have done a lot to force important sociopolitical issues onto the
agenda. However, Cambodia remains one of Asia's poorest countries. Income remains
desperately low for many Khmers, with annual salaries in the hundreds rather than thou-
sands of dollars, and public servants, such as teachers, are unable to eke out a living on
their meagre wages.
Economy Versus Environment
Cambodia's pristine environment may be a big draw for adventurous ecotourists, but
much of it is currently under threat. Ancient forests are being razed to make way for plant-
ations, rivers are being sized up for major hydroelectric power plants and the South Coast
is being explored by leading oil companies. Places like the Cardamom Mountains are in
the front line and it remains to be seen whether the environmentalists or the economists
will win the debate. All this adds up to an ever-stronger economy, but it's unlikely to en-
courage the ecotourism that is just starting to take off.
Media
Cambodia's media scene looks to be in good shape on paper, with freedom of the press
enshrined in the constitution, but the everyday reality is a different story. The governing
