Prospects for Cambodia, one of the newer ASEAN Member States, have greatly improved in the past years, with the country’s GDP growing faster than expected in 2012. Agriculture, tourism, and garments industries bolstered the country’s positive performance. Growth is expected to be sustained in the coming years.
Cambodia thrives in agriculture which accounts for 32% of the country’s total economy. Major products include rice, rubber, maize, and cassava. Potentials in agriculture are driven by Cambodia’s geographical location (being in a dynamic and rapidly integrating Mekong Sub-Region), vast fertile land, huge rural population, and access to a number of rivers and water bodies. Investors who wish to grow and process various produce are welcome. Since 1993, the government has granted land concessions totaling 1.4 million hectares to different companies.
The textile industry is a strong pillar of Cambodia’s economy. In 2011, more than 300 garments and textile factories powered by 335,432 workers make up the industry. Growth was positive at 34% vis-à-vis the previous year. Exports grew with EU market expanding by 70%. Tourism is another key sector. Foreign arrivals exceeded 2 million per year since 2007 and reached over 3 million in 2012.
To know more about investing in Cambodia, please see Council for the Development of Cambodia.
| Capital | : | Phnom Penh |
|---|---|---|
| Demography | ||
| Land Area | : | 181,035 sqkm |
| Population | : | 14.5 million |
| Urban population rate | : | 21.0 percent |
| Age clustering | : | |
| Children below 5 yrs old | : | 10.0 percent |
| Youth 15-29 yrs old | : | 32.0 percent |
| Elderly over 65 years old | : | 4.3 percent |
| Active workforce 20-44 yrs old | : | 38.0 percent |
| Life expectancy | : | 65.2 years |
| Net enrollment in primary education | : | 94.8 percent |
| Adult literacy rate | : | 73.9 percent |
| Economy (as of 2011) | ||
| GDP | : | US$ 12.8 million |
| GDP per capita | : | US$ 879 |
| Inflation | : | 4.9 percent |
| FDI | : | US$ 892,000 |
| Total trade | : | US$ 12.8 million |
| Tourist arrival | : | 2.9 million |
| Currency | : | Riel |
| Infrastructure (as of 2011) | ||
| International airports | : | 2 international airport |
| Major sea ports | : | 2 major ports |
| Road length | : | 44,900 square kilometers |
| Paved network | : | 3,881 square kilometers |
| Percentage of paved roads | : | 9 percent |
| Vehicles per 1000 persons | : | 17 |
| Internet subscriber per 1000 persons | : | 31 |
| Cellphone per 1000 persons | : | 699 |
| Other Information | ||
| Languages | : | Khemer as official languange |
| Religion | : | Buddhism as national religion |
| Race | : | Majority are Khmer; ethnic groups include Cham, Vietnamese, and Chinese |
