KI Media: Cambodia: Economic growth and what’s behind it

Cambodia: Economic growth and what’s behind it

February 2, 2012
By Vong Chandara, 31-yr-old Designer
Translated from French

Based on forecast announced by Hun Sen, Cambodia’s GDP would increase from $830 in late 2010 to $1000 dollars in 2013 (1). According to him also, in the medium term, economic growth is expected to be at least around 6% per year. Moreover, according to government statistics, the percentage of people living on less than $ 1 a day (i.e. below the poverty level) was 25.8% in 2010, a dramatic drop in comparison to 2005 when the poverty level was at 45%.

In absolute terms, these numbers look very encouraging. However, beyond this spectacular statistical embellishment, Hun Sen seems to have deliberately forgotten to tell us under which conditions this extraordinary economic growth was and will be accomplished, nor did he tell us who really benefits from this daily growth.

Not being an economist and short of involvement on this matter by specialists in this field from the Cambodian intelligentsia, I will try to provide my analysis on the behind the scene of this spectacular growth based on my personal professional background as a car designer.

If one were to believe the statistics provided by Hun Sen’s regime, the majority of Cambodians have greatly benefited from this spectacular economic growth and they should see their standard of living increasing at a galloping pace in the coming years. However, one wonders what really takes place in the daily life of the Cambodian people?

To understand the reality of the daily life led by Cambodians, it is necessary to clearly define what are the key features of the so-called "Cambodian growth rate" established by the ruling regime which manage to cling to power for the past 30 years.

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