Involvement by many groups can help shed light on how resources are developed.
Cambodia lacks a clear mechanism for spending revenue from natural resources that could benefit citizens and socio-economic development.
Regardless of its bountiful resources, Cambodia cannot effectively collect revenue due to a lack of adequate state agencies.
Media outlets can play a critical role in natural resource management, but that has not been the case so far in Cambodia.
The National Assembly makes laws, but in the absence of proper legislation, resource abuses take place.
VOA Khmer recently spoke with specialists in the field of natural resource management in developing countries.
Cambodia is considering application to the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, despite heavy criticisms.
Local rights groups acknowledge that the government has made some efforts at improvement.
Cambodia was once rich in timber resources, but much of that was logged out, and some continues to be, despite laws against it.
Another official said the government had managed the country’s forests by ceasing timber export and replanting 49,000 hectares of trees.
Similar to other poor countries rich in resources, Cambodia faces problems in management of its timber and minerals, experts say.
The mandates of government agencies must be simple and consistent.
Experts say there are potential solutions to the problems in managing natural resources in developing countries.
