Chinese developers are in the midst of buying 130 square miles of national park in Cambodia to build a "city-sized $3.8 billion complex with a casino named after the fabled Angkor Wat," a dock for cruise ships, and an international airport. This development has already built a 40-mile road through the jungle which is inhabited by endangered tigers and elephants, and Cambodian people that have lived there for generations.
Many developers are attracted to Cambodia because their ability to lease the land for 198 years. High-net-worth individuals from Russia and France are also drawn to Cambodia because of its" permissive attitude toward money-laundering" and its"nine-year tax holidays."
This article highlights the weak position that Cambodia has in relation to other Asia countries, despite its growing economy. It is sad to see many Cambodians displaced because of corrupt individuals from China and other countries. I wonder if anything will be done to stop this massive casino complex from being built?
Katie Robinson
http://www.forbes.com/sites/donaldfrazier/2012/03/21/china-to-gamblers-come-to-cambodia/
Is building this massive casino complex an entirely bad thing? Would the economic benefits, and thousands of Jobs created be helpful?
ReplyDeleteI understand that illegal activity is completely wrong, and I am also completely against gambling as well. I just wonder if they could build this 'resort' in a way that's win/win for everyone? Probably not though... Interesting article.
Ben Rindlisbacher
Interesting article. I wonder the same thing. If the casino and other amenities will end up helping or hurting the country.
ReplyDeleteIf Cambodia is the underdeveloped country of the group we are seeing, and probably the underdog of the country, I wonder if a casino, an opportunity to spend money the citizens don't have, will really be the best for the people. The government should take this into account.
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