The Cambodian government has been asked to legalize its fish exports so they can

be taxed.

During a seminar on reducing poverty through agricultural and commercial development,

economists and lawmakers said the role of Cambodia's fishery sector could be more

active. If most fishery exports were legalized it would increase state revenue.

Between 1993 and 2004, Cambodia caught an average of 274,000 tons of fish annually;

87 percent was kept in Cambodia, and the rest taken to Thailand, Vietnam, China,

and Singapore. Most of these exports were illegal.

"If the export does not occur unofficially, then the government will be able

to earn more revenue and, at the same time, this sector will also be able to create

more jobs," Economic Institute of Cambodia economist Neak Samsen said.

Samsen said fish exports could earn between US$30 million and $40 million a year,

employing close to 380,000 people.