Growth at risk from ‘turmoil’

Cambodia’s Minister of Commerce and long-time ruling party stalwart Cham Prasidh said yesterday that post-election demonstrations could prevent growth and even result in small-scale looting.

“If they want to destroy the economy, they have to protest more and more in order to destroy,” he said. …

Speaking at a conference in Phnom Penh, Prasidh said the Cambodian economy was expected to grow at a rate of 7.6 per cent in 2013 on the condition that “there is no turmoil post-election”.

In another apparent reference to the opposition, he said rallies aimed at making political points could get out of hand and hurt small-business owners. …

According to Prasidh, only around 80 per cent of the garment workers have returned to the factories, while around 20 per cent remain at home, scared of a volatile city. …

Cambodia’s growth and investment environment has been predicated on its stability, and those in the business community have expressed concern with the current stalemate. …

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/growth-risk-%E2%80%98turmoil%E2%80%99