The Evolution and Development of Special Economic Zones in Cambodia

Given Cambodia’s current membership in ASEAN, the World Trade Organization, and other free trade agreement associations, this study focused on the evolution and development of Cambodian special economic zones (SEZs) in connection to the global economy. It analyzed current SEZ development by studying economic contemporary trends, legal factors and conditions, as well as strategic goals of SEZ development. The study conducted an analysis of Cambodia’s economic potential and trade flow with the global economy. The findings indicated that SEZs in Cambodia have a substantial potential of growth with improving economic conditions and legal factors. Cambodia has developed a dozen SEZs since 2005 in its coastal, border, and central zones. With increased foreign investment, Cambodia has the capacity to create or expand SEZs in the triangle border zones of Cambodia-Laos-Thailand and Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam.