Abstract/Summary

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of Cambodia’s development trajectory and its aspirations toward 2030 within the ASEAN framework. Despite its post-conflict legacy, Cambodia has achieved notable progress in peace, stability, and economic growth over the past two decades. The study outlines Cambodia’s economic transformation, highlighting key sectors such as agriculture, garments, tourism, and construction. It presents a SWOT analysis to assess internal and external factors influencing development and identifies major challenges including human resource limitations, infrastructure deficits, and governance issues. The paper envisions Cambodia as a lower middle-income country by 2030, with diversified economic sectors, reduced aid dependency, and improved socio-economic indicators. It emphasises the importance of regional integration, particularly within ASEAN and East Asia, and the role of strategic partnerships, notably with China. Policy recommendations focus on human capital development, economic diversification, poverty reduction, natural resource management, institutional reform, and macroeconomic stability. The paper concludes that achieving Cambodia’s 2030 vision requires coordinated policy efforts, investment in education and infrastructure, and deeper regional connectivity.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64202/wp.90.201401