Short Title 1

Cambodia is one of the world's weakest economies and its political life still suffering from the civil war that racked the country during the  the 20th cent. Great for the cultivation of rice, by far the country's chief crop. Livestock raising (cattle, buffalo, poultry, and hogs) and extensive fishing supplement the diet. Corn, vegetables, cashews, tapioca, peanuts, tobacco, cotton, and sugar palms are widely cultivated.

Rice and rubber historically were the principal exports of Cambodia, but exports fell sharply after the onset (1970) of the civil war, which put most of the rubber plantations out of operation. By the 1990s, however, rubber plantings had been undertaken as part of a national recovery program, and rubber and rice were again being exported. The fishing industry also has revived, but some food shortages continue.

Short Title 2

Until recently, inadequate transportation hampered exploitation of the country's vast forests, but by the mid-1990s timber had become the largest source of export income. Mineral resources are not abundant, but phosphate rock, limestone, semiprecious stones, and salt support important local mining operations. The country's industries are based primarily on the processing of rubber and agricultural, fish, and timber products. Tourism and light manufacturing also contribute to the economy.

Cambodia is connected by road systems with Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam; waterways are an important supplement to the roads. The country has two rail lines, one extending from Phnom Penh to the Thai border and the other from Phnom Penh to Kompong Som (Sihanoukville). Clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, and footwear are the main exports; petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, and pharmaceuticals are the main imports. The chief trade partners are the United States, Hong Kong, China, and France.

Short Title 3

Cambodia's economy in figures Economy. Cambodia  predominantly agrarian country. The economy gradually began to recover from devastating civil wars. By 1997 the annual production of major crops - rice has reached 3.5 million tons in 1997-1998, the country's economy would suffer greatly from the economic crisis in the region and political violence, foreign investment and tourists declined. In 1999 the first peaceful year for 30 years was achieved economic growth of 5%. Despite the heavy flooding, GDP grew by 5% in 2000, to 6% in 2001 and by 5% in 2002.Tourism increased by 34% in 2000 and by 40% in 2001. Despite these successes, the economic situation remains difficult. There is a shortage of educated and skilled manpower in the province is almost entirely lacking basic infrastructure. The threat of political instability and corruption hamper the expansion of foreign investment. The country depends on loans and aid from abroad (in 2001 provided $ 548 million).