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International Trade Law
In recent years, Cambodia has used its place at the heart of Southeast Asia to engage the various mechanisms of free trade for the purpose of building its economy. The country’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2004 was an enormous achievement, signaling to the world that, after years of internal conflict, Cambodia is ready to conduct business under a common set of rules. In addition, Cambodia has developed several bilateral trade agreements and is particularly active in regional initiatives, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Yet Cambodia’s acceptance of liberalized trade as a critical component of its development is not enough. Cambodia’s immediate challenge is to integrate the commitments of its membership in bilateral, regional, and international trade agreements into its legal and institutional infrastructure. This challenge includes meeting its many specific commitments pertaining to trade made during the WTO accession process, as well as enacting a comprehensive legal framework, which is necessary for the new trade rules to be properly executed.
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