6th April 2006, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

In the last twenty years the proliferation of special economic zones, in various guises, has provided governments with an extra tool to support fledgling industries and attract foreign interest. Cambodia is set to introduce them in an effort to give extra impetus to the country's accelerating economic growth.

With the emergence of peace in the early 1990s, Cambodia spent ten years attempting to resuscitate its economy. Only in the last four or five years have developments really taken off. Its business climate is improving and the country is outperforming other low income economies - averaging 7.1% annual growth in GDP over the past ten years.

In a high-profile speech to politicians, diplomats and potential investors, HE Sok Chenda Sophea, one of the architects of Cambodia's economic recovery, highlighted the new optimism among investors and set out the government's plans to diversify the economy by setting up Special Economic Zones.

Speakers included:

HE Sok Chenda Sophea, Secretary General of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cambodia

HE Hor Nambora, Ambassador of Cambodia to the UK

The event was held at:

The English Speaking Union, Dartmouth House, 37 Charles Street, London, W1J 5ED