Cambodia
Deanna Popa and Tori O’Halloran
Cambodia Facts
Bordered by: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam
Population: 15,458,332
Religion: Theravada Buddhism practiced by 95% of the pop
Minorities: Vietnamese, Chinese
Capital/Largest City: Phnom Penh known as political, economic, cultural center of Cambodia
Ethnic Groups: 90% Khmer 5% Vietnamese 1% Chinese 4% Other
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Monarch- Norodom Sihamoni
Prime Minister- Hun Sen
Currency: Riel
Cambodian Economy at a Glance
Per capita income approx. $2,470 and $1,040 in nominal per capita
Dependent on agriculture, major exports: rice, fish, timber, garments/textiles, and
rubber
2001-2010 one of world’s top 10 countries with annual average GDP growth
Fastest growing industry-> tourism
Oil/natural gas deposits found under Cambodian waters, remain mostly untapped
National Bank of Cambodia -> central bank, provides regulatory oversight
Main Economic Issues
Older population lacking in
education from lack of basic
infrastructure
Among the worst places in labor
rights- 2015 International Trade
Union Confederation (ITUC)
Global Rights Index
August 2015: Rubber plant built in Cambodia
-The Tan Bien-Kampong Thom Development Company opened rubber latex
processing plant
-affiliate of the Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG)
-helped develop the local economy and generate jobs for local residents
-Vietnamese Government's determination to develop its friendship and comprehensive
co-operation with Cambodia
- licensed to grow rubber trees on over 7,000ha (hectare=2.5 acres) in Cambodia's
Kampong Thom province with total investment of US$43.5 million
September 2015: India wants to forge closer business
and economic partnerships with Cambodia
-move to engage more with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
-scheduled visit vice president of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari
“We hope that these projects will benefit local communities and contribute to the
improvement of public welfare,” Mr. Ansari said, India will give $50,000 for the
establishment of an entrepreneurship development center
-one of fastest growing economies in the region/primarily agrarian, certain degree of
macroeconomic stability in recent years, potential for future development
Cambodian Politics at a Glance
Government Type: Multiparty Democracy under a constitutional monarchy.
Legal System: Civil law system that is influenced by the UN Transitional Authority in
Cambodia.
Prime Minister’s Cabinet contains Council of Ministers named by the Prime Minister
and appointed by the monarch
Major political parties include The Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), The
Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), The Nationalist Party, The National United Front
for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful and Cooperative Cambodia.
Prime Minister Hun Sen
- Member of the Cambodian’s People’s Party
(CPP), Prime Minister Hun Shen is the
longest non-royal ruler in Asia.
- Western countries have seen Hun Sen’s rule as
more authoritarian as of late.
- Joined the Communist Party in 1960 and then
became a member of the Khmer Rouge
- Later, his new opposition to the Khmer Rouge
helped him to gain the position of Prime
Minister of Cambodia.
August 2015: CPP is Smacking Down Dissent
- The Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) is not taking opposition in the country
lightly, especially from other major political parties.
- Cambodia has been keeping track of the nation’s online opinions from citizens
who are exercising free speech about the state of the government.
- The Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) organizer was arrested due to
allegations that he was trying to undermine the CPP.
- There have been numerous government crackdowns to control protesters and
opposers of the Cambodian government and Hun Sen’s leadership.
- Issues involving unions and human rights have been keys to the conflicts in
Cambodia.
September 2015: Cambodia’s Montagnard Problem
- Over 1,000 Cambodian soldiers have been securing the border shared with
Vietnam in order to keep out Montagnards, a persecuted Christian tribal group of
Vietnam.
- Montagnards come to Cambodia to seek asylum legally, but are often deported as
illegal economic migrants.
- Hun Sen and his government find no need to keep the rights of Montagnards
upheld.
- Many Montagnards make allegations of persecution from Vietnam but do not
bring valid documents to become citizens in Cambodia.
Bibliography
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"Cambodia's Montagnard Problem." The Diplomat. The Diplomat, 8 Sept. 2015. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.
"East and Southeast Asia: Cambodia." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2015.
Reddick, James. "CPP Is Smacking Down Dissent: Analysts." Khmer Times. Khmer Times, 8 Sept. 2015. Web. 20 Sept.
2015.
"Hun Sen, Cambodia's Prime Minister, Marks 30 Years of Hardline Rule." The Guardian. The Guardian, 14 Jan. 2015.
Web. 20 Sept. 2015.
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