Publication: Cambodia: World Bank Country-Level Engagement on Governance and Anticorruption
Date
2011-12
ISSN
Published
2011-12
Author(s)
Girishankar, Navin
DeGroot, David
Desai, Raj
Stout, Susan
Wescott, Clay
Abstract
Cambodia is one of the world's most
open economies, sustaining high levels of growth in an
environment of relatively weak governance. Emerging from a
legacy of genocide and civil conflict, the country has
sought to address human and social capital deficits across
sectors, weaknesses in public finance, and corruption.
Despite improvements in access to basic services, governance
constraints persist and may threaten gains from economic
integration. Over the 2004-10 period, the Bank's
engagement on Governance and Anticorruption (GAC) issues in
Cambodia was not defined by a single, overarching priority
or entry point (such as core public sector management,
natural resource management, or service delivery). Rather,
the Bank was opportunistic, opting to support the
government's GAC efforts across multiple sectors and
institutions. The relevance of this opportunistic approach
is judged to be moderately relevant. The Bank's
objectives on public financial management (PFM) were highly
relevant given Cambodia's nontransparent and weak
public expenditure management and limited capacity. The
Bank's response to sectoral governance weaknesses such
as red tape, inefficiencies, and other forms of rent-seeking
in customs is rated modest given the need for the government
to implement its World Trade Organization commitments. The
Bank's project level engagement is rated as moderately
relevant. As a basis for reinstating suspended projects,
portfolio-wide measures included the use of an Independent
Procurement Agency (IPA) for the International Development
Association (IDA) procurements, and the implementation of
Good Governance Frameworks (GGF) for all IDA projects.
Citation
“Girishankar, Navin; DeGroot, David; Desai, Raj; Stout, Susan; Wescott, Clay. 2011. Cambodia : World Bank Country-Level Engagement on Governance and Anticorruption. IEG Working Paper;2011/6. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/26683 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”