Gross National Product (GNP): $3.34bn

Exchange rates against the US$ over the last year: 3835 riels (3835)

SCORE CARD

World GNP ranking: 127th GNP per capita: $270 Balance of payments: –$105m Inflation: 3.2% Unemployment: 3%

Strengths

Currently very few, as economy still recovering from long-running conflicts. Considerable future potential. Growth in tourism. Relatively unbureaucratic mentality. Self-sufficiency in rice achieved by 1999. Gems, especially sapphires. Possible offshore oil wealth. Export-oriented garment industry.

Weaknesses

Tiny tax base makes economic reform hard to implement. Deflation since 2001. Dependence on overseas aid: corruption at most levels of government limits its effectiveness. Disputes over land ownership rights.

Profile

A switch was made in the 1990s from Vietnamese-inspired central planning to encouragement of the private sector. The Asian financial crisis and internal turmoil affected funding after 1997. The country remains dependent on imports and growth has been slow. A period of deflation began in 2001.

EXPORTS

IMPORTS

ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004