tic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth M. QUINN
embassy: 27 EO Street 240, Phnom Penh
mailing address: Box P, APO AP 96546
telephone: [855] (23) 216-436, 216-438
FAX: [855] (23) 216-437

Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double
width), and blue with a white three-towered temple representing Angkor
Wat outlined in black in the center of the red band

@Cambodia:Economy

Economy-overview: After four years of solid macroeconomic performance,
Cambodia's economy slowed dramatically in 1997 due to the twin shocks
of the regional economic crisis and the July violence and political
infighting. Economic growth fell from 6.5% in 1996 to 1.5% in 1997,
foreign investment slowed, and tourism declined 16% from 1996 levels.
Despite these difficulties, inflation accelerated only slightly to
9.5%; the government managed to keep the national budget in balance
even with increased expenditures on the military and police; and the
economy ran a small balance of payments surplus. The future payments
could be adversely affected by the currency crises in Thailand,
Malaysia, and Indonesia, which tends to make Cambodia's exports more
expensive at the same time imports from these countries become
cheaper. The long-term development of the economy after decades of war
remains a daunting challenge. Human resource levels in the population
are low, particularly in the poverty-ridden countryside. The almost
total lack of basic infrastructure in the countryside will continue to
hinder development. Recurring political instability hinders foreign
investment. Corruption and inexperience among Cambodia's government
officials will serve as a further drag on the economy.

GDP: purchasing power parity-$7.7 billion (1997 est.)

GDP-real growth rate: 1.5% (1997 est.)

GDP-per capita: purchasing power parity-$715 (1997 est.)

GDP-composition by sector:
agriculture: 47.3%
industry: 15.4%
services: 37.3% (1996 est.)

Inflation rate-consumer price index: 9.5% (1997 est.)

Labor force: 2.5 million to 3 million
by occupation: agriculture 80% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $261 million
expenditures: $496 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)

Industries: rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber,
cement, gem mining, textiles

Industrial production growth rate: 7% (1995 est.)

Electricity-capacity: 35,000 kW (1995)

Electricity-produc