Cambodia's open economy, plentiful natural resources and low-cost workforce offer many opportunities to investors. One of the most important factors to consider when comparing Cambodia's investment climate with that of neighouring countries is Cambodia's free-market orientation. Cambodia is also the most open to foreign investment of any country in the region, 100% foreign owned investments are welcome in nearly every sector and type of business. Furthermore, Cambodia is located in the fastest growing economic region in the world and is relatively richly endowed with agricultural, forest and marine resources. It thus possesses a good foundation for a range of natural-resource-based industrial activities. From 2004-2007, the Cambodian economy expanded by more than 10% per year, with the garment sector and the tourism industry driving the growth, and inflation remaining relatively low. Also, the Cambodian government has been considering establishing one or more special promotion zones (SPZs) in Cambodia and attracting domestic and foreign investment into these zones.
Key economic indicators and statistics for 2008:
■ GDP (2008): $11.2 billion.
■ Per capital GDP (2008): $723.
■ Annual growth rate (2008): 6.5%.
■ Inflation (2008): 19.7%
(Source: Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Country economic fact sheet)
Area: 181,040 sq. km.
Population (2008 census): 13.4 million.Natural resources: Timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese and phosphate, hydroelectric potential from the Mekong River, unknown quantities of oil, gas, and bauxite. Agriculture (29% of GDP, 2007): About 4,848,000 hectares (12 million acres) are unforested land; all are arable with irrigation, but 2.5 million hectares are cultivated. Products--rice, rubber, corn, meat, vegetables, dairy products, sugar, flour. Industry (27% of GDP, 2007): Types--garment and shoe manufacturing, rice milling, tobacco, fisheries and fishing, wood and wood products, textiles, cement, some rubber production, paper and food processing. Services (39% of GDP, 2007): Tourism, telecommunications, transportation, and construction.