Economist MC Madhaven from San Diego State University, and formerly of the World

Bank, said population control and rural development were key to reducing the Cambodia's

high poverty rate. Although Cambodians in urban areas had benefited from economic

development over the last ten years, those in rural areas had been neglected. He

told the Cambodian Club of Journalists that a lower birth rate would free money for

development, while diversifying crops would increase export income.