To what extent can external technical assistance develop the capacity of counterparts, whether in government or in local nongovernmental organizations (LNGOs) in an aid-dependent economy? Cambodia’s experience since 1993 suggests that most projects in such a situation are donor-driven in their identification, design and implementation, to the detriment of capacity development. Connected with this is the chronic underfunding of government in such an economy, which hinders implementation of projects and threatens post-project financial sustainability. Unless donors develop a coherent strategy […]

The research examines links between the labour market, economic growth and poverty reduction; assesses the impact of internal and external crises on the labour market; and reviews existing policies that affect the labour market.

Land is the most important productive asset in agrarian societies such as Cambodia’s. Throughout Cambodian history, land ownership rights have varied with changes in government. In the period before French colonisation (pre-1863), when all land belonged to the sovereign, people were freely allowed to till unoccupied land and could cultivate as much as they liked. With French colonisation, a property-rights system was introduced in 1884. After Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953, a Western-style land ownership system continued until […]

Good governance is critical for Cambodia’s future. Over the last decade, during transition toward liberal democracy and a market economy, Cambodia’s policy-makers, donors and civil society have recognised that strengthening good governance is imperative if Cambodia is to sustain socio-economic development.     The current study, which was commissioned by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), considers how to promote good governance for sustainable development in Cambodia. The analysis and findings from the study aim to contribute insights for policy-making by the […]

Preliminary results from a seasonal adjustment of Cambodia’s official consumer price index (CPI) indicate significant seasonality in the series. Although the seasonal factors mirror the country’s main food production cycle, the original series has itself been volatile in recent years, and because of the procedures used in its compilation, it is particularly sensitive to exchange rate fluctuations. The inflationary momentum abated substantially in 1999, with inflation towards the end of the year running at a quarterly annualised rate of 6.6 […]