Cambodia Property Investment For Sale

"An exciting new Asian investment opportunity with a bright future"

Cambodia is a country racing to catch up with the developed world that surrounds it.  Economically backwards thanks to the three decades at the end of the twentieth century when the country was plunged into the sinister rule of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia languished whilst its neighbours Thailand (to the north) and Vietnam (to the South) rapidly developed their economies, export markets and strong tourism markets.

However, now the country has much to look forward to with potential oil, gas and mineral deposits to be mined and a rapidly growing tourism industry.

Blessed with over 400km of pristine, unspoilt beaches and a large wild and undiscovered interior, Cambodia’s undeveloped tourist attractions are its future.  From the wondrous temples at Angkor, untouched for thousands of years, to the colonial architecture of the capital Phnom Penh and even the horrific remains of the Khmer Rouge’s genocide preserved in the Killing Fields – there is a wealth to pull in the tourist visitor.

No matter how positive Cambodia’s recovery, there is no denying that this is still a young country with a property industry in its infancy. The countries infrastructure is far from good and corruption is still rife but the country is growing fast and property prices are significantly undervalued so for those who are not risk averse Cambodia is worth exploring further.

Geography

Hidden in a corner of South-East Asia, Cambodia is bordered by Thailand (to the north) and Laos and Vietnam (to the south). It enjoys over four hundred kilometres of beautifully pristine beaches leading out to the Gulf of Thailand to the west. Cambodia's landscape is dominated by huge areas of wild, tropical jungle and luscious paddy fields intersperced with relics of a rich cultural heritage. Most of Cambodia lies at elevations of less than a hundred metres above sea level with a few exceptions rising up to just under two thousand metres above sea level..

Government

Cambodia is a multi-party democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The Prime Minister of Cambodia is the head of the government and of the multi-party system whilst the King is the head of state. The monarchy is symbolic and does not exercise political power, although it is the King who appoints the Prime Minister on the advice of the National Assembly. The national holiday is Independence Day, celebrated on the 9th of November, marking the anniversary of independence from France in 1953.

Language

The official language is Khmer (95%), whilst French and English are also spoken.

Standard of Living

The cost of living for the international tourist is generally very good, with cheap meals and accommodation available.  Standards across the country vary enormously which is not surprising considering the acute poverty that afflicts some Cambodians. At the other end of the scale, extreme wealth can also be found - a result of foreign investment tapping into the potentially lucrative luxury market in Cambodia.

Principle Town

Phnom Penh is the capital of Cambodia, with secondary cities being considerably smaller.

Cambodia's economy has traditionally been dominated by the textile and tourism industries, which many fear are too narrow an economic base for the country is to develop as it hopes. However, the imminent expansion of the mining industry following the discovery of various minerals on-land coupled with potentially huge oil and gas deposits in fields offshore in the Gulf of Thailand, mean its economic future is one ripe with potential. Tourism continues to thrive and the value of this industry in economic terms is undeniable. GDP growth is high, supported by considerable foreign direct investment from neighbouring countries, namely China.

Key Industries:

Textile production dominates Cambodia's export industry, profiting from a large labour force. This could be under threat however from neighbouring Vietnam and other Asian nations. Cambodia is very dependent on the money that tourism brings into the country and is therefore making a sustained effort to increase the country's tourist appeal. Key industries are:  clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco and footwear.

Phnom Penh

Once known as 'The Paris of the East', Phnom Penh retains the architectural evidence of its French colonial rule, with the old French Quarter being the most desirable part of the city to live. Developers in the area maintain the beauty of the historical architecture by merely renovating the interiors of buildings, thus creating a stunning juxtaposition of old and new. Situated on the river, the French Quarter hosts the Old Market, and boasts a café culture that would rival any Western European city. The nearby Royal Palace adds a dash of majestical splendour to the neighbourhood, as do the many palaces and wats (temples) that season the colonial city with relics from its ancient history.

The skyline of Phnom Penh is destined to change as Korean developers muscle in to gain a piece of the market. Plans are in place to create giant high-rise buildings and condominiums with up to 42 storeys.

Siem Reap

Siem Reap: the gateway to the world-famous Temples of Angkor, draws thousands of tourists every year. The proximity of the city to the UNESCO World Heritage site makes it an ideal location for a few days' stopover on the great tourist trail, and consequently there is a high – and still growing – demand for accommodation for the many world travellers. The city itself is relatively small and easily accessible to the average pedestrian, with its fair share of restaurants and hotels- many under construction and renovation to cope with increasing demand.

Sihanoukville

230 kilometres south-west of Phnom Penh, lies Sihanoukville, a town in its adolescence, created in the 1960s and promptly stifled by the repressive regime in power. Now though, it is emerging as a hotspot destination thanks to its dream beaches with swathes of white sands and deep blue waters. Luxury villa complexes are springing up along the miles of beach front selling the luxury lifestyle to those wanting to cash in on the idyl of beach life. Enticing investment opportunities are therefore created for both lifestyle and investment buyers.