Cambodian per capita GDP to touch $1,000
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Echoing remarks made by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen earlier last week, economic experts agreed that the country's gross domestic product (GDP) per capita would reach US$1,000 (Bt30,377) this year, up from the estimated $900 at the end of 2011.
Managing director of Acleda Bank was quoted as saying that growth was being driven by the garment industry, tourism and agriculture.
He noted that GDP had grown from $11.6 billion in 2010 to an estimated $12.6 billion last year and is expected to reach about $13.8 billion this year.
Heng Vanda, rector of the Vanda Institute, said that growth of about 6 per cent per year re-
flected political and socio-eco-nomic stability, noting that Cambodia had the second-fastest growing economy in the region after Laos.
Chan Sophal, president of the Cambodian Economic Association, said that he also expected the GDP per capita to hit $1,000 next year but expressed concerns about inequity between urban and rural people.
He said much is needed to be done to bridge the wealth gap by increasing investment in irrigation, roads, water, electricity and health upcountry.
