Reducing Vulnerability in Transition Economies: Crises and Adjustment in Cambodia

This paper examines the impact of the global financial crisis on Cambodia, and the lessons learned. Cambodia is an interesting case study: after extremely rapid economic growth 2000-07, it experienced a sharp growth collapse in 2008-09. This highlighted a number of its peculiar vulnerabilities, including a narrow economic base, a pre-crisis asset price boom, a fragile financial system, and the limited array of defensive economic policy levers available to the government. The economy has begun to rebound since early 2010, and the crisis episode provides the government with an opportunity to place the country's economic growth trajectory on a more sustainable footing. Apart from diversifying the economy and creating the preconditions for dedollarization, we also consider policies that could improve the business climate and make growth more inclusive.