Cambodia
Preface
This paper was prepared in the context of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) intensified work in support of Least Developed Countries’ (LDCs) participation in trade. It aims to contribute to the discussion on market access for services and services suppliers from LDCs. In particular in the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Services Waiver Decision adopted on 17 December 2011 (hereinafter “the Waiver”).
Note
This publication forms part of the background research for the study titled “Effective market access for least developed countries’ services exports; An analysis of the World Trade Organization services waiver for least developed countries” (UNCTAD/DITC/TNCD/2019/1). The research was originally undertaken in 2017 and has been released for publication to help policymakers understand some of the intricacies behind the original study. Some details may have since changed.
Concluding observations
Cambodia is one of the most promising LDC economies in terms of growth rapid development services landscape and services export potential. The country’s openness liberal market economy young and agile population and proximity to important markets promise further development of its services economy especially if supply side constraints such as capacity constraints weak infrastructure and challenges related to governance and regulations are duly addressed.
Services and services trade in Cambodia
Cambodia is a Southeast Asian country with over 15 million inhabitants neighboured by Viet Nam Lao People’s Democratic Republic Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand. It is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Least Developed Countries services exports, the World Trade Organization services waiver for Least Developed Countries and preferences notified by members
This paper focuses on Cambodia as an LDC and a services exporter. It does so embedded in the immediate context of the overall question of LDCS’ services exports their promotion and the operationalisation of the LDCs Services Waiver. It thus serves as a case study one of a set of four and should be read in conjunction with the paper “Effective Market Access for Least Developed Countries’ Services Exports — Overview Analysis of the World Trade Organization Services Waiver for Least Developed Countries” which considers crosscutting observations and conclusions.