A Change of Guard

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Thursday 15 August 2013

From killing fields to economic transformation

Published: Wednesday August 14, 2013
The Malaysian Star
Youk: Everyone here is at a crossroad so there are a lot of opportunities and everyone is equal.
Youk: Everyone here is at a crossroad so there are a lot of opportunities and everyone is equal.
CAMBODIA has been ravaged by many years of war, but Youk Chhang, executive director of Documentation Centre of Cambodia (DC-Cam), believes that the country can still find her place in today’s global economy.
Cambodia, he notes, is in transition, moving on from its history of genocide to a land of opportunity, which presents investors with an avenues to participate in the development and preservation of the country.
“You can invest in the infrastructure, education and so many other aspects. There are so many investment opportunities. If you don’t take it, someone else will.
“Everyone here is at a crossroad so there are a lot of opportunities and everyone is equal. So it is up to you on how you want to pick your fight,” he said.
Notably, dealing with Cambodia is challenging given the lack of basic infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, low levels of education and fear of corruption and renewed political instability.
Last year, Cambodia was ranked 138 out of 183 on World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index.
Nonetheless, Youk said there are loopholes in the system to take advantage of.
“The system is so corrupt that there is so many loopholes to take advantage of. Challenges are not an enemy, it is an opportunity,” he noted.
Currently, China is Cambodia’s biggest source of foreign investment. And Youk added that it is time for Cambodians to stop seeing themselves as victims of the genocide and to engage the economic giant to elevate Cambodia’s economy.
“China may be big, but we can be an elephant too one day. You can do a lot if you have a proper understanding of our history,” he said.

It has been more than 30 years since the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime but many of its survivors still live in the shadow of the genocide.
Nearly two million people died under the regime from 1975 to 1979.
Youk himself is a survivor of the regime.
“But I have moved on with my life. Knowing about the past does not hold us back and we become stronger. Because of that, I am no longer a victim,” he said.
Youk was 13 when the Khmer Rouge came to power. He was beaten in public and put in prison when he was caught stealing mushrooms for his sister.
Youk was eventually resettled as a refugee in Texas, US, where he went on to study political science.
He returned to Cambodia in 1991 as an electoral officer for the United Nations-sponsored elections.
The DC-Cam now helps map an alternative development path for Cambodia through social entrepreneurship, which Youk tirelessly advocates.
“How can Cambodia look forward to the future today? How do we get out from being a victim and survivor of genocide to go into the world of competition and be successful like everybody else around the world?
“Remembering, sharing and learning about the genocide is important for us but getting into the social enterprise, using existing heritage sites, helps us move on and compete,” he said with a smile.
Cambodia is a beautiful country with plenty of heritage sites, which Youk says are a good starting point for investment. They can be converted into resorts and museums with a research compound that can also generate income and allow the local people to benefit from their heritage.
“Start at this grassroots approach, with social enterprise and preservation. If you want to invest in Cambodia, you must know the story of Cambodia,” said Youk.
Related story:
Cambodia calling

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Cambodia can be a prosperity nation within 1,500 days if it is led by a real Cambodian government. About 11,000 days with the current government, Cambodia is the poorest country in Southeast Asia. This is due to the Vietnamese agents who are controlling Cambodian government. Defense department, economic department, education department, information department, and the rest of departments are under this foreign government. The intend of the Vietnamese government is to genocide of Cambodian race in front of the hold World and no one knows it. Defense department led by high ranking Vietnamese agents. Very difficult for foreign investors to invest in the country due to corruptions. Low standard of education to ensure no technology companies want to invest in the country (leads to no high paying jobs). Leaving Cambodians in the dark with no current events around the World. THIS IS A TRUE GENOCIDE THE VIETNAMESE POST UPON CAMBODIAN PEOPLE AND NO LEADERS IN THE WORLD CAN UNDERSTAND IT!!!