Rectangular Strategy
Royal Government of Cambodia “Rectangular Strategy” for Growth, Employment, Equity and Efficiency Phase III of the Royal Government of Cambodia of the Fifth Legislature of the National Assembly
- The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has successfully implemented Rectangular StrategyPhases
I and II.Cambodia’s development achievements over the last decade are a testimony of
attaining long-lasting peace and sustainable development, reflected noticeably in strong economic
growth and strengthened democratic institutions, secured national sovereignty and territorial integrity,
and improved livelihoods of people. The development record confirms progress toward the realization
of RGC’s early aspiration: “By the end of the first decade of the 21st Century, Cambodia is to
reclaim a full ownership of its own destiny, while becoming a real partner in regional and global
affairs and a nation of genuine freedom and being free from poverty”.
2. Cambodia has gone through an important period in its history and has witnessed a profound
transformation in all aspects of the society. Twenty years ago, Cambodia was a war-torn and conflict
stricken poor country which accepted the deployment of the UN Blue Berets for peacekeeping
operations. It is now a country dispatching forces to join the UN’s peacekeeping missions in some hot
spot countries of the world. Cambodia, previously well known as a killing field, an insecure region
anddangerous mine fields, is now transformed into an “island of peace” and a popular tourist
destination in Southeast Asia that welcomes more than 3 million tourists annually. Cambodia,
previously well known for using armed forces in power struggle and changing of government, is now
a country that firmly respects the principles of multiparty democracy by regularly holding free and
fair elections to allow people to choose the country’s leadership; a state governed by rule-of-law that
firmly adheres to legal principles; and a sovereign state with full territorial integrity and deep respect
for human rights and dignity. Cambodia, not long ago politically isolated and placed under economic
embargos, is now actively integrating itself into the regional and global architecture, and playing a
dynamic role in all regional and global affairs on equal footing and with equal rights as other nations.
Cambodia, previously perceived as economically-underdeveloped and mired in high rate of poverty
and food insecurity, is now a food-exporting country, ranked as the eleventh fastest growing economy
in the world1
during the last decade, ranked fifth among developing countries of the world2
in
achieving the MDGs, and ranked first in the Asia Pacific region3
in making good progress to improve
social indicators. Cambodia is firmly moving forward in the transition from low-income to achieving
a lower-middle income status in the near future.
3.These outstanding achievementshave been made possible by implementing the “Win-Win” Policy,
which was based on the grand spirit of national solidarity and unity, and aimed at unifying all the
national forces for Cambodia’s socio-economic rehabilitation and development under its national
motto “Nation, Religion and King”.
4.Based on experiences and outcomes of the Fourth Legislature and the “Political Platform” of the
Fifth Legislature, the Royal Government is of the view that the Rectangular Strategy, especially its
central theme of Growth,Employment, Equity and Efficiency, continues to be relevant and
appropriate for Cambodia to pursue further during the Fifth Legislature of the National Assembly
(2013-2018). The four strategic rectangles of the Strategy will be maintained with expanded scope,
refined and reprioritized sides, and improved and more effective policies and mechanisms. Therefore,
the“Rectangular Strategy-Phase III”reaffirms the RGC’s mission and its strong commitment to
sustainable development and poverty reductionthat respond to the people’s will and emerging
contexts of national and international developments. The “Political Platform” of the Fifth
Legislature” and the“Rectangular Strategy-Phase III” area comprehensive policy framework for
the formulation of the “National Strategic Development Plan”, with clearly defined indicators and
timeframe for implementation, and are consistent with other RGC’s sectoral policies. Moreover, in
preparing the “Rectangular Strategy-Phase III”, the RGC has also taken a long-term and far-sighted
view of the changing structure of Cambodia’s social and economic development. Accordingly, the
“Rectangular Strategy-Phase III” will become a clear blueprint to guide the activities of all
stakeholders to further pursue and strengthen long-term sustainable development aimed at promoting
economic growth, creating jobs, equitable distribution of the fruits of growth, and ensuring
effectiveness of public institutions and management of resources.
5.In this context, the Rectangular Strategy-Phase III is the “Socio-economic Policy Agenda” of the
“Political Platform of the Royal Government of Cambodia of the Fifth Legislature of the
National Assembly”.
