Cambodia's economy and exports grow, in tandem with social tensions and repression
The export sector has increased by 17%, reaching around 8 billion dollars. Manufacturing up by 7%, shoe industry by 22% and rice industry by 43%. EU biggest market for Cambodian exports. However, gap between citizens growing in parallel as well as social conflicts. Law enforcement officers in support of industrialists.
Phnom Penh (AsiaNews / EDA) – Cambodia’s economy is growing, particularly in the export sector which recorded a 17% increase, reaching about eight billion dollars. In tandem with unresolved social conflicts, violations of workers' rights, human trafficking, and still widespread abuses. This is combined with a systematic attack by the government on the main opposition party, while the galaxy of small parties - almost irrelevant in the political scene weight - is even more fragmented. All of this to the advantage of Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Cambodian People's Party, in power since 1979.
This is the picture that has emerged from an in depth analysis of society, economy, politics and activism in Cambodia, recently published by Eglises d'Asie (EDA) in its monthly update on the situation in the Asian country.
In recent weeks, the media have supported a government smear campaign against Kem Sokha, a prominent leader of the opposition Pnsc party. In addition, the government has adopted a series of measures - wage increases, removal of tolls and taxes on motorcycles - that were contained in the electoral program of the opposition and claimed as its own.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has strengthened his presence in the media and, above all, on Facebook, to the point that he is now the politician with the highest number of followers. He also called on citizens to use the social network to make report abuses and corruption. Experts at Transparency International advise against this attempt at direct democracy, saying that in the long run it is better to think of a serious - and democratic - reform of institutions.
The opposition forces weakness and lack of unity facilitate the ruling party’s grip on power. Today there are eight small parties ready to compete for the 2018 elections and even the monarchists are split. In all this the figure of Khen Vesna, emerges with increasing vigor. He is the founder of the Youth Party, a populist and convinced religions, including Buddhism, are to be blamed for Cambodia’s evils.
While in terms of human and labor rights the situation in Cambodia is still precarious, data in terms of the economy and foreign trade is highly positive. The manufacturing industry grew by 7% in the last year and still today represents 70% of the total value of exports; the shoe industry increased by 22% and rice production by 43%. The European Union remains the largest market for Cambodian products, with over 40% of the market share.
The Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture reports that the sale of rubber grew by 24.4% year on year, although the price has dropped by 2.5%. Timber exports from Cambodia to Vietnam grew by 50%, although the main market remains China. The mining sector also quadrupled its profits and now stands with a total value of 17.25 million dollars. From the sale of oil and gas (recorded for the first time) the government has obtained 8.85 and 8.4 million. Again in terms of exports, the figure of bicycle exports to Europe grew 16% in the first eight months of 2015, reaching about one million.
In parallel with the rapid development of the economy and exports the gap between citizens has also mushroomed as well as social conflicts. In particular, over the past two months a new phenomenon of "counter-demonstrations" has emerged. These are organized by leaders and heads of factories, with the support of the police and security forces. Moreover, the nation’s judges and the judiciary are increasingly pawns in the hands of the authorities. One of the most notable episodes dates to February 1 when 600 demonstrators were blocked and beaten by police as they tried to protest against the dismissal of eight trade union leaders. The next day, special forces arrested two leaders of the Free Trade Union for "inciting violence."
The various problems in the social sphere include the rapid spread and the increasing consumption of drugs. The total volume of traffic has "doubled" compared to 2014. Added to this, finally, is the increase in human trafficking because of relaxation of border controls and growing economic disparities that occur within the region. In 2015 the police recorded 295 victims, half of which were subjected to sexual abuse.
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