The understanding of Free Trade Agreement

The understanding of Free Trade Agreement in Cambodia among Civil Society organization and grassroots citizens.

Executive Summary
For the first time in its history, the Government of Cambodia has signed two bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs): The China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) and the Cambodia-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA). According to Khmer Time issued on November 24, 2021 and Phnom Penh Post issued on October 26 2021, these two FTAs extend across a wide range of sectors and products, including agriculture, garment and textiles, tourism, investment, and transportation. The agricultural industry is the main sector targeted for increased exports under the two FTAs. However, the agricultural sector is highly fragmented and is dominated by small-scale farmers. Subsequently, small-scale farmers may not have the capacity to produce efficiently within the sector and meet the quality standards to comply with the FTA requirements to export. The country also lacks
skilled workers and a stable labor environment. The FTAs will directly impact either the country's economy or the households of small-scale farmers, and working people in general.

The research team explored and analyzed the governments’ strategic intervention through bilateral free trade agreements with new trading partner countries by speaking with Cambodian people and assessing their perceptions and views on the FTA arrangement. Further, we explore how the FTAs could be carried out with greater governmental accountability in a manner that benefits the Cambodian people and protects small-scale farmers’ and laborers’ rights.

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