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Prime
Minister's Message...
There is much information that the world must learn about Cambodia and
the progress that has been achieved in our country over the past decade,
through the hard work of the Cambodian people and the Royal Government.
I am pleased to see Cambodia’s business community supporting
Invest in Cambodia’s initiative, since the improvement of Cambodia’s
international image and stature can only strengthen the national environment
for growth of enterprise.
Over the last decade of peace and stability, Cambodia has achieved
high economic growth at an average of 9.4 per cent per annum. Economic
growth reached 10.6 per cent per annum over the last 5 years, with a
peak at 13.3 per cent in 2005. Economic growth stood at 10.8 per cent
in 2006, 10.2 per cent in 2007 and 7 per cent in 2008.
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Interview
with Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen
Can Cambodia maintain economic growth
and social development against the backdrop of the global economic recession?
The global recession has taken
us by surprise, but it seems to be a good test of our economic fundamentals.
Cambodia’s economy is running some risk of slowing down amid the
current crisis and as part of the business cycle. Real GDP growth is
expected to be around 6.5 per cent for 2009, a bit lower than the growth
rate for 2008. Key sectors like garments, tourism, construction and
agriculture have been affected. The garment sector has been threatened
by the sharp drop in demand in the US and EU; tourist arrivals declined
significantly during late-2008 and early 2009; the construction sector
has been slow; and the price of Cambodia’s main agricultural products,
such as rice and rubber, has also dropped. Whilst we cannot eliminate
the impact entirely, we can, however, lessen the magnitude of the impact
on our economic and social development.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation has launched e-Visa, which enables you to apply for a Cambodia
tourist visa online. Instead of applying through
Cambodian Embassy, all you need to do is to complete the online application
form and pay with your credit card. After receiving your Visa through
email, print it out and bring it along when you travel to Cambodia. |
For
those who wish to apply Business Visa, K-Visa or Diplomatic Visa,
please contact your nearest Cambodian Embassy for more information.
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The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is unable
to accept applications from holders of Diplomatic Passports. |
| Entry Type |
Single entry only |
| Fees |
USD20.00 + USD5.00 (processing charge) |
| Validity |
3 months (starting from the date of issue) |
| Length of Stay |
30 days (more) |
| Processing Time |
3 business days |
| Requirement |
A passport validity of more than six months balance at time of entry,
a recent passport-size photo in digital format (JPEG or PNG format),
a valid credit card (Visa/MasterCard/American Express/Discover). |
| Visa Exemption |
Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam |
| Countries not supported |
Afghanistan, Algeria, Arab Saudi, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan,
Sri Lanka, Sudan (Please apply your Visa from your nearest embassy
or on-arrival at all major checkpoints) |
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AGRICULTURE
| Rich in farmland |


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The Council for the Development of Cambodia
(CDC) approved agricultural investment projects worth a combined $499.7
million in the first eight months of 2009, in comparison to $81.7 million
worth of projects approved over the same period in 2008.
For investors looking to grow and process crops, Cambodia is an ideal
location with plenty of land available for agricultural concessions.
The Cambodian agriculture & agro-industry sector has developed significantly
in recent years and has great potential for investment, employment creation
and as a source for economic growth. |
TOURISM
| An Awarding Country with Pristine tropical
islands |




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World’s second favourite long-haul
destination
Cambodia was voted the world’s second favourite long-haul destination
for British tourists at the 2009 Guardian, Observer and guardian.co.uk
Travel Awards in the UK. Cambodia finished second to New Zealand and ahead
of Chile (3); Vietnam (4); and Japan (5).
Served by a new international airport and easily reached from the coastal
hubs of Sihanoukville, Kep and Koh Kong, Cambodia’s unspoilt islands
stand poised to be revealed to the world, as leases have been granted
to local and international companies who plan to develop resorts. But
for now, most of the islands remain unpopulated and untarnished by tourism;
offering secluded white sand beaches and stunning tropical scenery.
Koh Rong is the largest of Cambodia’s 22 islands and is easily
reached by boat from Sihanoukville. The island offers secluded beaches
and exclusive diving. At present there is little or no development on
the island, but that is about to change as a 99-year lease of Koh Rong
has been awarded to the Millenium Group who are seeking investors to develop
the island.
Koh Tang is located four hours by boat from the mainland and three hours
south-west of Koh Rong. The island is uninhabited apart from a small military
presence. The waters around Koh Tang offer world-class diving with a stunning
diversity of fish, corals and rocky reefs. Nearby Koh Prins has two wrecks
to dive. “The remoteness from the mainland makes Koh Tang an exclusive
diving trip,” says local diving operator Scuba Nation - www.divecambodia.com.
Koh Tang is well known as the site of the infamous Mayagüez incident
of 1975 in which the Khmer Rouge captured a US ship.
Other unspoilt islands include Koh Russei (Bamboo Island) which can be
reached by private boat from Sihanoukville, or from the beach near Ream
National Park (about 20km east of Sihanoukville), and Koh Tonsay (Rabbit
Island) off the coast of Kep - long-tail boats go to Koh Tonsay every
morning from Kep.
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GARMENTS
| Quality and Efficiency |

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Garment exports from Cambodia in 2008 were
worth about US$2.8 billion, with 70 percent of shipments going to retailers
in the United States. The European Union is the second-biggest market.
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OIL AND GAS
| Future Economic Growth |

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The Royal Government of Cambodia has been
actively seeking to promote and facilitate the development of the country's
petroleum resources with the objective of enhancing economic growth and
providing opportunities for employment and participation in petroleum
operations for Cambodian nationals and companies. The development and
production of petroleum resources could be expected to generate significant
revenue for Cambodia and allow the country to continue to develop its
infrastructure to form the basis of future economic growth. Cambodia might
be sitting on as much as two billion barrels of oil and up to 11 trillion
cubic feet of gas, according to reports by the World Bank and the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
“Depending upon the world price of oil, Cambodian reserves may
be contributing annual revenues of $2 billion, several times the current
level of domestic revenue and ODA (overseas development aid) combined
— within perhaps five to ten years,” says a World Bank report.
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PROTECTED AREAS
| 23 protected areas and 3 Ramsar sites |



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Cambodia pioneered the creation of protected
areas in South East Asia in 1925 by setting aside the Angkor temple complex
and surrounding areas for protection. In 1993, a Royal Decree established
a national system comprising 23 protected areas classified under four
major categories: National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Protected Landscapes,
and Multiple Use Areas.
The Department of Nature Conservation and Protection under the Ministry
of Environment has the responsibility for overseeing these 23 protected
areas and 3 Ramsar sites, two of which are contained within the 23 protected
areas. Combined, all of these areas cover 32,289 sq km.
Today, the greatest threat to Cardamom Mountains landscape come from
the country's rapid post-conflict development trajectory; road construction,
intensive agriculture and a hunger for land threaten to fragment the landscape
irreparably. Mining companies have been granted access, forcing local
communities from their tradition local community development into the
future will be a difficult balancing act.
Inward migration of natural values must happen alongside the sustainable
development of existing communalities. The area has been identified as
one worthy of World not only greater recognition and protection of the
area's natural values, but perhaps also go some way to safeguarding the
rich cultural heritage of the traditional custodians of the forest.
A two million hectare landscape consists of rugged mountain ranges,
peaks up to 1800 meters and extensive lowland forests. Rivers channel
the heavy rains into the Great Lake, nourishing the fisheries and rice
paddies that, in turn, feed the nation. The area remains a haven for globally
threatened species, including tigers, crocodiles and elephants.
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MINERAL RESOURCES
| Unexplored - Several Important Minerals
Have Been Discovered |

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While Cambodia’s mineral resources remain
largely unexplored, several important minerals have been discovered, which
include bauxite, copper, zinc, gold, iron ore, nickel, granite, gemstones
and tungsten. Minerals currently extracted include gemstones and gold
- mostly mined by small-scale operators - marble, granite, sand, limestone
and salt.
The Royal Government is committed to the protection and preservation
of Cambodia’s environment and its natural resources, while meeting
the needs of sustainable development. It is also committed to alleviating
poverty, and ensuring that the benefits mineral resources eventually bring
to the country are distributed throughout all levels of society.
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TRANSPORTATION
| TNT’s Asia Road Network Extended
Into Cambodia |




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First fully-integrated express road service
to and from Phnom Penh, Cambodia...
In 2009 TNT announced the extension of its successful Asia Road Network
(ARN) into Cambodia, adding more than 1,500km to an existing 6,000km road
network running from Singapore to Thailand to China.
Cambodian Railways
Cambodia's rail network was built in 1929 and was last upgraded in the
1960s. Three decades of conflict destroyed or damaged much of the system.
In December 2009 ADB approved another $42 million investment. With this
additional financing, freight trains will begin operating between Kampot,
near the border with Vietnam, and the capital Phnom Penh in 2011.
“This upgraded rail network will position Cambodia as a true sub-regional
transport hub, creating new jobs and business opportunities in the manufacturing
and logistic services sectors,” said Peter Broch, an ADB Senior
Transport Economist.
Taxi-metres
A second taxi-metre company began operations in Phnom Penh in 2009. South
Korean-owned Trans Choice Cambodia is investing $3 million to purchase
a fleet of 20 vehicles and employ and train 60 drivers.
New road - Phnom Penh to Thailand
National Road 4 linking Phnom Penh to Thailand via Koh Kong has been surfaced
and five bridges built. The route is used mostly by light traffic at present.
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TELECOMS
| Few Limitations On Foreign Investment |


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Cambodia is an attractive investment destination
for telecommunications operators due to its political stability, liberal
investment and economic policies (Cambodia is a free-market economy with
relatively few limitations on foreign investment and no specific restrictions
on foreign investment in the telecommunications sector in Cambodia), and
the perceived business opportunities arising from low levels of market
penetration.
The general view of the private sector is that, given the emergent state
of the Cambodian telecommunications market, the promotion of increased
investment in infrastructure will best serve the long term interests of
end users.
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INVEST IN CAMBODIA'S FUTURE BY CONSERVING
ITS PAST
| Remarkable Recovery |


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In the last five years the Kingdom of Cambodia
has enjoyed a rate of economic growth averaging 9.5 per cent per annum,
while a Phnom Penh Stock Exchange is expected to be launched in the coming
year. This is a remarkable recovery for a country and population whose
fragmentation and displacement under Pol Pot’s regimen is an indelible
memory for most adult Cambodians.
The people and government of Cambodia are determined to resurrect their
country, and look back to the past glories of the Khmer empire for inspiration,
as materially indicated by the national flag that figures the greatest
symbol of that empire, the 12th century masterpiece of temple construction,
Angkor Wat.
Indeed, this national symbol is well chosen since it is also the focus
of a tourism industry that has grown exponentially in Cambodia, with 2
million arrivals in 2007 (a 20 per cent increase over 2006) generating
approximately $1.4 billion in foreign tourism revenue, about 10 per cent
of the kingdom’s GDP.
According to the President of CATA (Cambodian Association of Tourism
Agents), Cambodia expects to welcome 3 million foreign visitors annually
by 2010.
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NEW GOLF COURSE IN SIEM REAP
| Prime Minister - A keen Golfer |


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At the opening ceremony the prime minister
said, “Golf plays an important role in strengthening international
relationships. Regardless of political trends, race or religion, golf
bridges friendships and reinforces solidarity between individuals, groups,
and nations.
“Cambodia is fortunate to have inherited cultural and archaeological
treasures,” he added, “especially Angkor Wat temple and our
magnificent natural scenery. The tourism sector is moving forward and
provides a substantial contribution to the growth of the service sector.
The abundance of cultural, archaeological and natural attractions is
what makes our tourism sector even more interesting for investment. These
inheritances have helped transform Cambodia into a vibrant and attractive
tourism destination.”
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ECO-LODGE
| Four Rivers Floating Eco-Lodge |

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The 4 Rivers Floating Eco-Lodge is located
in Tatai, Koh Kong Province, one of the most beautiful places in Cambodia.
According to the western owners, it is the first of its kind in the world,
as it features luxury tents on completely floating platforms (not on solid
poles).
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