Businesses Feel Strain of High Gas Prices

The price of gasoline rose to a 5800 riel ($1.44) per liter Monday, a 14 percent rise since the beginning of the year. Economists and businesses yesterday said the high prices are having a negative impact on the economy, as everything from transportation companies to agricultural firms that depend on fuel to run machinery are starting to feel the strain. According to data provided by the National Institute of Statistics, the price of gasoline has surpassed the previous record high of 5,700 riel ($1.41) per liter in July 2008, when oil reached 149 per barrel…