CAMBODIA: With few local jobs, more Cambodians focused on migration

Phnom Penh ­ Cambodians have changed their approach to labour migration, says the International Organization for Migration (IOM). These days an increasing number are using it as a way to improve their livelihoods rather than as a short-term coping strategy.

The IOM says this finding, contained in a new report, means the clock is ticking for Phnom Penh to change its current view of migration as a convenient way to absorb the 300,000 people a year entering the stagnant local job market. Read more

CAMBODIA: Bank reports slump in remittances

ACLEDA counts 25 percent drop in trade transactions over first half of year compared with 2008, but expects an uptick before the end of the year after flows showed signs of recovery in June

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Photo by: Heng Chivoan
Slumping volumes through Cambodia’s ports have led to a 24.6 percent drop in ACLEDA Bank’s remittances business.
Cross-border money remittances through ACLEDA Bank dropped 24.6 percent year on year in the first half from US$727.34 million to $547.83 million, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer So Phonnary said.

The fall was due largely to exports and imports, she said.

"The major decline was due to the drop in garment exports, so money transferred into the country was down," she said. "Because demand for imports of automobiles, machinery and goods and commodities into Cambodia also dropped, the amount of money transferred out of Cambodia was also down."

Outgoing remittances fell 16.4 percent to $284.29 million, and inbound remittances dropped 31.8 percent to $263.54 million. Read more