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Cambodia prohibits or restricts the import of certain goods on the grounds of: protection of national security; protection of public order and standards of decency and morality; protection of human, animal or plant life or health; protection of national treasures of artistic, historic or archaeological value; conservation of natural resources; compliance with the provisions of any legislation of the Kingdom of Cambodia; and the fulfilment of obligations under the UN Charter. Currently, over 1,500 tariff lines are subject to import prohibition or licensing. Prohibited imports include, inter alia: narcotics; psychotropic substances and their precursors, ODS (except HCFCs), toxic waste and poisonous chemicals, certain pesticides, used computers and spare parts, household waste, right-hand drive vehicles and goods that infringe intellectual property rights. Import licences or permits are required for chemicals, pharmaceuticals and narcotic drugs for medicinal purposes, forestry products, fish and fishery products, live animals, animal products and agricultural materials.

Despite a major decline due to irrigation and commodity price developments, agriculture, centred on paddy rice production, continues to play an important role in supporting economic growth (accounting for 25.7% of gross value added in 2016). Cambodia's agricultural price competitiveness remains lower than its regional neighbours. During the review period, several plans aimed to transform the sector into one driven by new technologies, mechanization and irrigation to improve the yield rate and diversify activities into high value crops, livestock, and aquaculture in an environmentally sustainable manner. Illegal trade of fisheries and forestry items persists.

(...) Forest and fishery management appears to be relatively inefficient. Despite a 1996 log export ban, the cross-border trade continues to grow. Fish and fishery products remain subject to relatively high tariff protection and import quotas; in 2014, the European Union enforced a ban on fish imports from Cambodia due to a perceived lack of action against illegal fishing.

(...) Phase III of the Rectangular Strategy reflects the Government's aim of promoting long-term sustainable national development and poverty reduction through focusing on: agriculture development (diversification, value added, and productivity); development of physical infrastructure; private sector development and employment; and capacity building and human resource development (see Section 2.3).

In this context, the authorities have stated that their focus would remain on public investments in roads, railways, bridges and irrigation to further promote rural development and enhance inclusive growth. They consider that public investment in these infrastructure projects will help facilitate private investment. Over the near term, the completion of several hydropower projects is expected to provide affordable electricity to the general population and contribute to enhancing Cambodia's business climate and competitiveness. (...)

(...) On 6 September 2016, ASEAN Leaders adopted the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 (MPAC 2025) which succeeded the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2010 and focuses on five strategic areas: sustainable infrastructure, digital innovation, seamless logistics, regulatory excellence and people mobility. (...)

All sectors other than those contained in the negative list of Sub-Decree No. 111 (2005) remain open to foreign investment and 100% foreign ownership is allowed; with regard to state owned enterprises, the Government must directly or indirectly hold more than 51% of the capital or the voting rights. The prohibited activities comprise: (...) production of poisonous chemicals, agricultural pesticides/insecticides and other goods by using chemical substances prohibited by international regulations or the World Health Organization that affect public health and the environment; processing and production of electrical power by using any waste imported from a foreign country; and, forestry exploitation business prohibited under the Forestry Law. (...)

The CDC (Council for the Development of Cambodia) must consult and obtain the approval of the Council of Ministers for investment projects with the following characteristics: a) capital investment of US$50 million or more; b) politically sensitive investment with significant impact on the public interest or the environment; c) exploration and exploitation of mineral and natural resources; d) long-term development strategy; and e) build-own-transfer (BOT), build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT), build-own-operate (BOO), or build-lease-transfer (BLT) schemes. Projects with capital of under US$2 million can be approved by Provincial Municipal Investment Subcommittees. (...)

Cambodia prohibits or restricts the import of certain goods on the grounds of: protection of national security; protection of public order and standards of decency and morality; protection of human, animal or plant life or health; protection of national treasures of artistic, historic or archaeological value; conservation of natural resources; compliance with the provisions of any legislation of the Kingdom of Cambodia; and the fulfilment of obligations under the UN Charter.

Sub-decree No. 209/ANK/BK of 2007 (prohibited and restricted goods list) and No. 208/ANK/BK of 2011 identifies 1,537 tariff lines that are subject to import prohibition or licensing. Sub-decree No. 47/ANK/BK of 2005 on Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) regulates the use, import and export of ODS within the country. In addition, Sub-decree No. 16/ANK/BK of 2016 on the Management of Electronic and Electrical Equipment Waste stated that used electronic and electrical equipment were to be considered prohibited goods, however the import and export of such goods required permission from the Ministry of Environment (MOE). Sub-decree No. 36 ANK/BK of 1999 on Solid Waste Management prohibits the importation of solid and hazardous waste. Currently Cambodia prohibits the commercial importation of narcotics; psychotropic substances and their precursors, ODS (except HCFCs), toxic waste and poisonous chemicals, and substances and certain pesticides in accordance with toxicity classification by the WHO. Additional government regulations also prohibit the importation of used computers and spare parts, household waste, right-hand drive vehicles and goods that infringe on intellectual property rights.