Re: Cambodia's security hinges on competitiveness: US ambassador - AFP

There are many ways to resolve the issues of competition. Professor
Michael Porter of Harvard University, an expert on Competitiveness of
Nations, had written several books on the subject. For Cambodia to
become more competitive, the RGC must shift away from its sole power to
define national destiny. Instead, it must encourage individuals,
private companies and other NGO's institutions to participate in
formulating strategies on competition, national security and
development.

By delegating the responsibility for national productivity to other
Khmer legal and institutional concerns, the Khmer people and nation can
create more centers of idea generating, therefore increasing the level
of innovation and productivity at the same time. By shifting the power
from the RGC to several other private and public domains, the
government will have only the role of simple monitoring and regulating
the outcome of national productivity itself. What really means is a
division of responsibility into several other quarters of the Cambodian
society.

I had felt that most governmental institutions are not efficient and
they are highly polarized. This is so because they represent so many
constituencies where interests are conflicting and culturally
entrenched. Through shifting of the responsibility, delegating and
decentralization, there will be many centers of power play. As such and
as a whole, the network of responsibility can create multiple areas of
leadership, thus enhancing productivity and competitiveness at the same
time. And the same token, the thing that is associated with corruption
will miraculously be eliminated or at least reduced.

This approach would allow resolutions of multiple fronts at the same
time.

Chim


In a message dated 9/30/2005 12:21:14 PM Central Standard Time,
kourk_chheng@xxxxxxxxx writes:
MP,
Good points by this new embassador. I think to the corrupted officials
in Nom Ben, this sermon just nothing other than the same songs they
have heard all the time, but who care?
One of my friend used to say, to believe someone said he is not Pook
Ro Luoy, you have to look at their pocket, if they have the open end
face down ( Beu moat Hor Pao keh beh choh krom ) then you may believe
them.
BTW I had dropped off and seen our friend for a few minutes yesterday
after work.

Cheers,
KC

M Preuk <mpreuk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Cambodia's security hinges on competitiveness: US ambassador
Thu Sep 29,11:49 AM ET



AFP/File Photo: Impoverished Cambodia's security hinges on its economic
competitiveness and the country must tackle rampant corruption...
Impoverished Cambodia's security hinges on its economic competitiveness
and the country must tackle rampant corruption to ensure it attracts
foreign investment, the US ambassador said here.

Speaking at the launch of a report which found executives rated
corruption as the top obstacle to doing business here, US envoy Joseph
Mussomeli said Cambodia could ill afford to ignore the economic impact
of corruption.

"As far as Cambodia's future goes, I think the single term
competitiveness is what will determine your future ... I believe that
your economic future is inextricably linked with your political future
and your security," he said.

Mussomeli, who began his posting this month, warned that it was
difficult to imagine how Cambodia will provide the jobs and income
needed for its growing population without a highly competitive economy
in place.

"That's a nice way of saying that the future is not so rosy. Not
hopeless but neither so hopeful either unless far stronger measures are
taken to compete against the burgeoning economies of Thailand, Vietnam
and especially China."

Cambodia's economy is heavily dependent on its garment sector, which
accounts for more than 95 percent of export earnings and is forecast to
be worth two billion dollars this year.

To compete globally, Cambodia must focus on improving its
English-language base and infrastructure, reduce the administrative
complexity of doing business, diversify and eliminate corruption,
Mussomeli said.

"Yes, of course there is corruption everywhere in the world ... but
rarely is corruption on such a scale as it is in Cambodia. To be frank,
richer, more developed countries can afford to be corrupt but Cambodia
cannot be," he said.

The Cambodian government has vowed to approve a long-awaited
anti-corruption law this year as it tries to assure donors it is
sincere in efforts to reform.

The report released Thursday by the independent Economic Institute of
Cambodia found that 80 percent of 100 surveyed executives said
corruption was the leading constraint on doing business in the
Southeast Asian nation.



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