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(...) Cambodia is not yet able to legally export crocodile skins as farms are unable to meet industry standards. However, crocodile meat can be exported. Export prohibitions apply to any fish species mentioned on the CITES list of endangered species (Section 3.1.5). As a result of unofficial "export gates" at remote locations, smuggling of fish and fish products is also active. Smuggling is estimated to account for about 30% of total exports. A significant amount of fish was exported unofficially through the border with Viet Nam in 2011; no recent data were available on this activity.

During the review period, Cambodia's mining policy remained unchanged. Its objectives are set under its 2011 policy on minerals aimed at promoting mineral resources development in partnership with the private sector. They, inter alia, involve: (...) supporting improved environmental protection; (...)

(...) Under Sub-decree No. 195 on the Management of Mine Products Exports of 22 September 2016, exports of minerals other than uranium and other radioactive mining that are prohibited, are subject to licensing upon examination of economic, social and environmental criteria such as the economic potential for their further domestic processing or their utilization as raw materials for the local construction industry, or being in excess of the local demand (Section 3.2.3); in the past, exports of unprocessed minerals were prohibited.

Cambodia's energy structure remains simple; fossil fuels, such as coal and petroleum products, are imported, while biomass is mostly produced domestically. In 2015, its total primary energy supply rose to 4,761 kilotons of oil equivalent (ktoe), of which biomass accounted for 44%, oil 39%, coal 11%, hydro 3.6% and electricity 3%, compared to 3,554 ktoe in 2011, of which biomass accounted for 51%, oil 44%, electricity 4%, coal 1% and hydro 0.1%. The reduced share of overall energy imports compared with indigenous production implies that Cambodia is becoming less dependent on energy imports (Section 4.2.2.2).

During the review period, the General Department of Energy (GDE) of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) implemented the Energy Sector Development Plan 2005-2024 which is aimed at: promoting the exploration of energy sources such as hydropower, natural gas, and coal for electricity generation; ensuring stability in electricity supply to facilitate investment and socio economic development; encouraging the efficient use of energy and mitigating the adverse effects on the environment resulting from energy supply and use; encouraging the private sector to invest in energy, including in generation, transmission and distribution; fostering the development of all types of renewable energy such as biomass, biogas, bio-fuel; enhancing the efficiency of energy through the use of energy-saving stoves to reduce the use of fuel, firewood, charcoal; and promoting regional energy trade through bi- and multilateral cooperation. These objectives remain unchanged in the Energy Sector Development Plan 2017-2030. The MME remains in charge of preparing and implementing policies, strategies, rules and regulations for the energy sector; setting standards; maintaining and analysing data on electricity supply/demand and energy resources.

Cambodia is endowed with an abundance of renewable resources (e.g. hydro, wind, solar, and agricultural residues), which have great potential for power production. The development of renewable energy (RE) is a significant solution to accelerate power sector development and reduce dependence on energy imports. If large-scale hydropower (larger than 10 MW) is excluded, the RE share in Cambodia's total primary energy supply falls to around 1%. Under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) goals submitted to the Fifth East Asia Summit Energy Ministers Meeting, held on 20 September 2011, Cambodia aimed to adopt Final Energy Demand as its Energy Efficiency (EE) Indicator and achieve a 10% reduction from the "business-as-usual" scenario by 2030. The action plan to achieve the EE&C goals covers the usage of energy by industry, transportation, and commercial and residential users, such as the introduction of EE equipment and labelling, as well as the promotion of EE public awareness.

Electricity production depends on hydro- and diesel-power plants with some import from Viet Nam, Thailand, and Lao PDR due to seasonal factors and rapidly growing electricity demand. [102] The share of electricity, gas and water of gross valued added rose slightly from 0.5% (2011) to 0.6% (2016) (Table 1.2). In 2015, electricity was generated from: hydropower plants (2,127.82 million kWh); thermal plants using coal (2,159.64 million kWh); diesel powered plants (163.6 million kWh) and plants using wood and other biomass (38.15 million kWh). (...) According to the authorities, as at end of 2016, six hydroelectric and three coal-fired generation plants were in operation representing a total capacity of more than 1,300 MW. According to the World Bank, in 2017 Cambodia ranks 136th out of 190 economies on the ease of getting electricity.

[102] Hydropower generation usually declines during the dry seasons due to the lack of water. Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) (2016), Cambodia National Energy Statistics 2016, September. Viewed at: http://www.eria.org/RPR_FY2015_08.pdf.

Under the NSDP 2014-2018 (Section 2.2), the Government's objective is to generate 10,823 GWh of power and to increase per capita annual power consumption to 544 kWh by 2018. Cambodia plans to provide access to electricity to all villages in the country by 2020 and for 70% of rural households to have access to quality electricity services by 2030. Cambodia's National Power Development Plan 2012-2016 objectives were to reduce the cost of power generation and to increase the electrification rate using the following methods: import cheaper electricity from neighbouring countries; build and bring online large-scale hydroelectric, coal-fired, and biomass power generation facilities; improve the transmission network and inter-regional links; and expand the power distribution network nationwide. This plan is currently being updated. Furthermore, EDC's Master Plan on Power Sector Development 2008-2022 sets the following goals: increase hydropower and coal-fired generation; (...)

(...) The REF (Rural Electrification Fund) provides grants to REEs and promotes rural electrification and RE technology through the following programmes: Power to the Poor (P2P), Solar Home Systems (SHS) and the Programme Providing Assistance to Develop Electricity Infrastructure in Rural Areas as well as the Programme for Subsidy Scheme and Providing Electricity for Pumping for Agricultural Irrigation to Reduce the Tariff for Sale of Electricity in Provinces and Cities (see above). As at 2008, the grants programme consisted of: US$45 per new connection; US$100 per SHS of at least 40W; US$400 per kW for mini/micro hydro plants; and US$300 per kW for biomass plants. In the period 2012-17, the REF funding was allocated as follows: 69.8% to grants; 27.3% to interest free loans; and 2.9% to investment participation.

Cambodia's commitments under the GATS reflect its aim to attract FDI and remained unchanged during the review period. Its Schedule of Specific Commitments covers 94 sub-sectors in (...) environmental services, (...)