Publication: Cambodia Economic Update, May 2023: Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery
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2023-06-27
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2023-06-27
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Cambodia’s economic recovery solidified in 2022 with real growth accelerating to 5.2 percent. After shifting to “living with COVID-19” in late 2021, the economy is firmly on a path to recovery and has now returned to its pre-pandemic growth trajectory. Initially led by the strong performance of export-oriented manufacturing, growth drivers are rotating to the services and agriculture sectors. Meanwhile, the agriculture sector is benefitting from improved access to regional markets, thanks to newly ratified bi-lateral and regional free trade agreements. Weakening external demand is, however, starting to weigh on the country’s economic recovery. Despite weakening goods export performance, the current account balance is improving, thanks to the rebound in the travel and tourism industry and remittances, while the oil price shock eased. The economic recovery and good revenue administration underpinned an across-the board improvement in domestic revenue collection. The authorities continued to provide cash transfers for poor and vulnerable households, although the worst of the pandemic is now behind us. In this regard, the Cambodian authorities have extended the COVID-19 cash transfer program, with an additional budget. To enhance the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the economy, efforts are needed to further promote export product diversification.
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“World Bank. 2023. Cambodia Economic Update, May 2023: Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/39931 License: CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO.”
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