As Cambodia Courts US Business, Old Problems Remain
As a delegation of US business owners prepares to travel to Cambodia with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, analysts say they will be tough to court, given Cambodia’s lack of law enforcement. “Investors don’t bring guns, they don’t bring bodyguards—they bring money to invest,” said Sok Touch dean of Khemarak University in Phnom Penh. “So what protects them is not guns, not nuclear weapons, but laws. When laws are firm, investors have confidence.” Cambodia’s economy continues to grow, with an estimated rate of about 6.5 percent forecast for this year. Per capita incomes have improved, to about $1,000 per year. But there are few prospects for new jobs…
