During the colonial era emphasis was placed on agriculture, with household-based rice cultivation, the development of large rubber plantations, and integration into the French economy.
The chapter concludes with a discussion of the opportunities and challenges facing Cambodia.Ĭambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. Section 11.5 documents the key sunrise and sunset sectors in Cambodia. Section 11.4 provides an overview of the policy environment. Section 11.3 documents subsequent growth and development. Since the 1993 election, overseen by the United Nations (UN), Cambodia has been in transition to a full market economy, following decades of war and isolation from international markets. Section 11.2 describes each of these regimes. Over the last sixty years Cambodia has experienced a number of very different political ideologies, each of which has had a strong influence on the evolution of industry. It is against this backdrop that we explore the evolution of the economy. With the labour force projected to increase by 213,000 per annum between 20, the economy will come under increasing pressure to generate productive employment opportunities. Between 19 the population increased from 11.4 million to 13.4 million, an average annual increase of 1.5 per cent. Digging deeper, however, reveals that this is not without uncertainties and challenges.Ĭambodia has one of the fastest growing populations in the world. On the surface, Cambodia appears to be an emerging economic success story. Sixty years on, following decades of war and destruction, these ambitions are beginning to be realized with double-digit growth rates. Keywords: Cambodia, development, war, population growth, employment opportunities, industrial developmentĬambodia emerged a newly independent nation in 1953 with ambitions for growth and development through the expansion of industry. It is against this backdrop that this chapter explores the evolution of the economy and industrial development. Cambodia has one of the fastest growing populations in the world. Digging deeper, however, reveals that this is not without uncertainties and challenges. Cambodia emerged a newly independent nation in 1953 with ambitions for growth and development through the expansion of industry.