The Effects of COFDI in Cambodia

Cambodia’s prolonged exposure to high levels of Chinese investment raises the question: what effect does Chinese outward FDI (OFDI) have on technology transfer, labor, and domestic politics in Cambodia?  Chapter 8 also investigates the impact of three factors—(1) host country regime type; (2) host country development level; and (3) Cambodia’s relations with China—in shaping the effect of Chinese OFDI (COFDI).  It also explores other explanatory variables.  The analysis of effects and their causes rely on case studies of the Cambodian digital telecommunication sector, the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, and the agricultural plantations and facilities in the Cambodian Preah Vihear province, which have been selected due to their significance for Cambodia’s economic development and politics.  The chapter finds that COFDI’s effects were generally negative in these three case studies with tech transfer gone awry, labor unrest, and increased land-grabbing.  More information about the book can be found at https://www.routledge.com/The-Effects-of-Chinese-FDI-in-Southeast-Asia-Cheer-Commonsense-and-Clarification-Along-the-Belt-and-Road/Blanchard/p/book/9781041066002.