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Relations with New Zealand
After years of conflict, Cambodia is working to rebuild the economic, social and physical foundations needed to ensure future growth and development. Cambodia remains one of Asia’s least developed countries. A particular challenge is stimulating enough private sector development to support Cambodia’s demographic imbalance - more than half the population is under 21 years old.
Foreign investment has increased steadily in recent years, particularly in the garment and footwear industries and tourism, but the benefit is yet to reach far beyond the main urban centres. Cambodia relies heavily on aid, including from New Zealand.
The bilateral relationship between New Zealand and Cambodia is limited in scope, but constructive.
New Zealand was involved in the peace process following the end of Khmer Rouge rule and in 1993 provided its then-largest peacekeeping force (over 100 military personnel) to the UN peacekeeping mission (UNTAC) in Cambodia.
The New Zealand Ambassador resident in Bangkok is accredited to Cambodia, and visits the country periodically.
There is a small but not insignificant trade relationship, and a steady flow of New Zealand tourists to Cambodia, notably the Angkor temple complex.
New Zealand has given some $800,000 to support the UN-managed Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), the tribunal set up to try former leaders of the Khmer Rouge for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Former New Zealand Governor General Dame Sylvia Cartwrightis one of the international judges appointed to the ECCC.
Bilateral trade with New Zealand is modest, with exports to Cambodia totalling NZ $3.77 million and imports from Cambodia sitting at NZ $2.64 million (June 2010 year).
New Zealand consultancy companies are active in Cambodia, and carry out a range of contracts in water supply and sanitation, resource management, civil engineering and other areas.
In October 2004, Cambodia became the 148th member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
In November 2010 Cambodia ratified its participation in the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA).
New Zealand has a solid aid relationship with Cambodia that focuses on sustainable economic development, by improving livelihoods through agri-business, tourism and natural resource management, and human resource development.
The two main bilateral activities are support to the Cambodia Agribusiness Development Facility (CADF) and APSARA, the government agency responsible for managing the Angkor Heritage Park.
New Zealand provides post-graduate scholarships to Cambodian students and English language training to Cambodian Government officials under the regional English Language Training for Officials (ELTO) programme.
In 2010 New Zealand announced the ASEAN Flagships initiative, which will provide developing members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) - including Cambodia - with assistance in four areas: scholarships, agricultural diplomacy, young business leaders and disaster risk management.
Cambodia benefits from other regional training programmes supported by the New Zealand Aid Programme such as training programmes at the Mekong Institute, and the Phnom Penh Plan for Development Management. Training is also provided in specialist areas such as agribusiness, metrology and the silk industry.
New Zealand assists with small-scale rural livelihood development projects through the Head of Mission Fund. This fund is managed by the New Zealand Embassy in Thailand.
New Zealand has become home to a considerable number of Cambodian settlers, both as refugees since 1980 and migrants - many of them families of earlier settlers - in more recent years.
Cambodia is an increasing draw for tourists, including from New Zealand. The Angkor Wat ruins in the northwest are a particular point of interest. The number of Cambodian tourists coming to New Zealand is negligible. Most Cambodian arrivals come to visit family or friends or to study.
Cambodia is an increasing draw for tourists, including from New Zealand. The Angkor Wat ruins in the northwest are a particular point of interest. The number of Cambodian tourists coming to New Zealand is negligible. Most Cambodian arrivals come to visit family or friends or to study.
Occasionally there have been private visits by other members of the Cambodian National Assembly who have private links with New Zealand, eg. Prince Norodom Rannaridh, HE Veng Sereyvuth (Minister of Tourism).
Official Name: Kingdom of Cambodia
Total Area: 181,040 sq km
Population: 14.45 million
Capital City: Phnom Penh
Religion: Buddhist (Theravada) majority
Language: Khmer (national language) Other: Vietnamese, Cham, Chinese dialects, Hill Tribe dialects
Currency: Riel
Exchange Rate: NZ$1 = 3004 Riel (December 2010)
Political system: Constitutional Monarchy
National government: Coalition Government
National legislature: National Assembly: 123 seats elected by popular vote (proportional representation). Members serve a five year term. Senate: 61 seats. 2 members are appointed by the monarch, 2 elected by the National Assembly and 57 elected by parliamentarians and commune councils. Members serve a five year term.
Next election: National Assembly: July 2013, Senate: January 2011
Head of State: King Norodom Sihamoni (since 29 October 2004)
Head of Government: HE Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen (Cambodian People’s Party, CPP)
Key Ministers: Foreign Affairs/Deputy Prime Minister: Hor Nam Hong (CPP):Commerce/Trade: Cham Prasidh (CPP)
GDP: US $10.87 billion (2009 est)
GDP per capita (PPP): US $2000 (2009 est)
Exports of goods: US $4.3 billion (2009 est)
Main exports: Clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear
Principal export destinations: United States (45%), Germany 7.5%, UK 7%
Imports of goods: US $5.88 billion (2009 est)
Principal import sources: Thailand (25%), Viet Nam (20%), China (14%)
Principle imports: Petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical products.
NZ Exports (FOB): NZ $3.77 million (year to June 2010)
Main Exports: Paper, milk, apples, seafood, beef
NZ Imports (CIF): NZ $2.64 million (year to June 2010)
Main Imports: Shoes, clothes
Services Trade: New Zealand provides consulting services in areas including engineering, forestry, rural development, agriculture, education, tourism, and the public sector.
The Embassy of the Royal Government of Cambodia in Canberra is accredited to New Zealand.
Royal Government of Cambodia
5 Canterbury Crescent
Deakin
ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA
Ph: (61 6) 6273 1154, 6273 1259
Fax: (61 6) 6273 1053
The New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok (Thailand) is accredited to Cambodia.
New Zealand Embassy
M Thai Tower, 14th Floor
All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Road
Lumpini, Bangkok 10330
THAILAND
(PO Box 2719, Bangkok 10500)
Ph: (66 2) 254 2530
Fax: (66 2) 253 9045
Email: nzembbkk@loxinfo.co.th
The Safetravel website provides a travel advisory for travellers to Cambodia [external link].
