PHNOM PENH, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia must strengthen its agricultural sector as the nation's pillar industries of garments and tourism are too vulnerable to events abroad, local media on Thursday quoted Prime Minister Hun Sen as saying.
Diversification of trade is the greatest challenge facing Cambodia, as the nation is relying too heavily on textiles and tourism which are vulnerable to recession and terrorism, Hun Sen said at a government workshop on trade in Phnom Penh on Wednesday.
Cambodian-language newspaper the Rasmei Kampuchea quoted him assaying that should there be an economic slowdown in the developed countries which purchase garments from Cambodia, its effects would undoubtedly be felt here.
While terrorism doesn't affect tourists in Cambodia, it may affect those traveling through other countries to reach here, he added.
"This is why we must pay attention to our area of real potential, namely agriculture, as this is the most important sector for economic diversification leading to economic growth and a reduction in vulnerability to instability and crisis in foreign countries," said Hun Sen.
If strengthened, this sector will positively affect government efforts to reduce poverty and promote the living standards of all the Cambodian citizens, especially in rural areas, he added.
"It is clear that we face a big problem of losing forests to take the land for agriculture, therefore our solution is to strengthen the productivity of the existing areas through improved irrigation systems and new techniques," he said.
Garment, tourism and agriculture used to be the major pillar industries of the country. Garment usually makes up some 70 percent of it total export incomes.
Editor: Wang Hongjiang
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