Background

As the oil, gas and mining industries continue to mature in Cambodia, civil society is working hard to engage with the Royal Government of Cambodia to encourage the widespread and consistent dissemination of information about these important economic sectors.

Since the discovery of oil, gas and hard mineral resources nearly a decade ago, an enormous of amount of time and effort has been expended to create the legal and operational frameworks to support what promises to be a significant economic and environmental event in the country’s history. Much, however, remains to be accomplished if these sectors are to function efficiently, productively and transparently in Cambodia.

The actual value of the resources is still uncertain, but significant progress has been made in offshore and onshore oil and gas exploration as well as in the allocations of licenses for the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources.

The government has consistently reported its expectation that the first significant oil will be produced beginning in 2012.

H.E. Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, previously noted that: “Whether oil and gas revenues translate into greater economic diversification and poverty reduction is the most salient issue in Cambodia’s medium term outlook”.  We know from other countries that when a resource windfall is properly stewarded, it can stimulate economic growth, decrease poverty and fund improvements in infrastructure and the country’s social fabric. All too often, however, countries have suffered negative effects, including increased poverty and inequality, detrimental environmental impact and political and social instability. CRRT applauds the recent commitments made by the RGC to increase transparency related to revenues from the oil, gas and mining industries by consistently disclosing quarterly financial reports of government revenues and expenditures.

Since January of 2008, Cambodians for Resource Revenue Transparency has been working with the government, regulatory agencies and fellow members of civil society to encourage the creation of fair and equitable laws, policies and procedures governing the extractive industries that will benefit all of Cambodia for generations to come. In 2010 founding members Development and partnership in Action (DPA), NGO Forum on Cambodia and Youth Resource Development Program (YRDP) were joined by member the Advocacy and Policy Institute (API) to form CRRT’s new coalition.

CRRT’s mission is to work with government and the private sector to help ensure that revenues from extractive industries are equitably and transparently managed in a way that is understood by the general public. Together, the members offer capacities in economic analysis, budget monitoring, transparency and good governance, and citizen empowerment.

Learn more

CRRT’s members: