November 07, 2007
From D. Arul Rajoo
PHNOM PENH, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- A study on the investment climate in Cambodia undertaken by the World Bank showed that companies with links with political leaders and organised crime have more influence over business regulations in the country.
Charis Woerffel, social research director of Indochina Research which is carrying out the study for World Bank, said initial results from 100 respondents showed they are also influenced to a lesser extent by business associations and foreign firms operating in Cambodia.
Asked who have less influence on them, the respondents, mostly small companies, mentioned international development agencies, said Woerffel at the Cambodia Investment, Trade and Infrastructure Conference here today.
But she was quick to point out it was preliminary results as they have only interviewed 100 of the targeted 500 firms operating in Phnom Penh, Seam Reap, Sihanoukville, Kampong Cham and Battambang.
The selected firms are in the garment, tourism, retail and trade industries, she said.
On a positive note, Woerffel said the respondents wanted to invest more in the next three years but also cited concern over corruption, anti-competitive issues and high electricity tariffs.
Senior partner of Sciaroni & Associates, Brett Sciaroni, described Cambodia as the "best kept secret" of Asia despite some rating agencies and international development agencies giving it poor marks.
"There is a lot of potential in the country. With all the poor reports and rankings, the country still attracts interest and that is why we have 600 participants today, more than double the number two years ago," he said.
One of the main reasons for the foreign interest was political stability, Sciaroni said, adding that the current government has been in office for some time and likely to win the mandate again in the election next year.
"There are little changes to the ministries and the ministers are the same. So there is not much swing in policies," he said.
Charis Woerffel, social research director of Indochina Research which is carrying out the study for World Bank, said initial results from 100 respondents showed they are also influenced to a lesser extent by business associations and foreign firms operating in Cambodia.
Asked who have less influence on them, the respondents, mostly small companies, mentioned international development agencies, said Woerffel at the Cambodia Investment, Trade and Infrastructure Conference here today.
But she was quick to point out it was preliminary results as they have only interviewed 100 of the targeted 500 firms operating in Phnom Penh, Seam Reap, Sihanoukville, Kampong Cham and Battambang.
The selected firms are in the garment, tourism, retail and trade industries, she said.
On a positive note, Woerffel said the respondents wanted to invest more in the next three years but also cited concern over corruption, anti-competitive issues and high electricity tariffs.
Senior partner of Sciaroni & Associates, Brett Sciaroni, described Cambodia as the "best kept secret" of Asia despite some rating agencies and international development agencies giving it poor marks.
"There is a lot of potential in the country. With all the poor reports and rankings, the country still attracts interest and that is why we have 600 participants today, more than double the number two years ago," he said.
One of the main reasons for the foreign interest was political stability, Sciaroni said, adding that the current government has been in office for some time and likely to win the mandate again in the election next year.
"There are little changes to the ministries and the ministers are the same. So there is not much swing in policies," he said.
10 comments:
Gentleman
Result of the study is not a surprise to any one nationally and internationally.Real surprise would be an effort by both national agencies and international community to help clean up corruption, if that long term economic progress needed to be achieved.
Isolating influence of VN onto current government where both serve one another, where VN aim to control econmy of indochina for its thirst of power and benefits from the region.
National agecies, anti corruption agency, human rights organisation, comfrel, social development agency,medias...and so forth, along with opposition party have done their best for a reformed, transparent government.So far it has been very difficult because of the current government commitment.
International communities have been well aware of the lack of governance, provided number of warning from world bank, the countries of donations put a strong effort TOGETHER. World bank ought to punish those corrupted ministers under international laws, as perpetrators committed of stealing money from international communities.Failing to do so, it become unjust for generations of young cambodians to repay for assistances that they have not received.
NGO's have certainly achieved a considerable level in helping the needs of poor cambodians.Social education and assistance, health, education, social abuse...etc proved tremendous effort for improving poor cambodians.These efforts which are supposed to be goverment's tasks have significantly taken care of.
We are cambodians, calling for a joint effort of both national and international commitment, TOGETHER put to the end of current government and its cronies for helping poor cambodians on their feet,by working closely with our king to fullfil his roles as prescribed in national constitution.
National constitution has te be adhered to and implemented by the government of cambodia, unfortunately without assistance from countries participated in Paris Agreements, cambodia will still trapped in poverty even though she has a potential to grow, poor cambodians get poorer where the powerfuls and their associates get richer, and JUSTICE IS NOT PREVAILED, and another UN trial may be raised along side of killing field one.
Neang SA
It has taken you all this long to notice the reality of Cambodia?!
Welcome to Cambodia!
Halaluya!
Damn, who brought AL Capone here from the US?
That man above need to watch American movie called " First Knight ". Give it to him. He needs it. It's good! No it's the best and may be he'll learn something new other that just understanding ching chong ching ching!:)
Hey I see a bunch of "First Knight" on you tube. Can you tell me which one?
"Senior partner of Sciaroni & Associates, Brett Sciaroni, described Cambodia as the "best kept secret" of Asia?"
Oh well! The best kept secret is that these international donors help AH HUN SEN dictator to fail for 30 years and the sad part is that Cambodia is becoming bankrupt country and Cambodian people will owe more and more money to the world! Cambodia so far has $3.66 billion in debt!
I have serious doubt about these international donors sincerity! Remember this! Hun Sen is a dictator not a CEO! If Hun Sen is a CEO of a Company and I am sure that international donors wouldn't give a penny to Hun Sen because they know they will lose their money on their investments and who the fuck is going to pay all the money back? The reason these donor countries keep giving money to Hun Sen because the Cambodia and Cambodian people are their collaterals! So if AH Hun Sen is long gone from politic and it is Cambodia and Cambodian people who will bear the responsibility to pay back the money!
The donor countries need to stop treating Hun Sen dictator like a CEO of the company otherwise Cambodian people will in more debt and dirt poor!
Oh stop crying, 10:05. 3.6 billions is nothing comparing to using the US corrupted company to build 110km road for half that amount.
To 10:32AM!
Fuck you bitch! Are you going to pay for it? You talk like you have a lot of money!
Living on less than $1.00 day and it is fucken too money to be paid back!
Don't compare Cambodia to the U.S and it is like comparing orange and apple! You talk like that in court and the judge will throw the book at your stupid face!
What? here we build up 3.6 billions debt since the civil war, which is not much annually. And now the US came over and scam our people for 1.8 billions just like that, and you say that is alright?
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