The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and the International Monetary Fund on Thursday held a conference to discuss the next steps in Cambodia’s economic development.

NBC director-general Chea Serey said the conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to offer their ideas and hear those of others, with the aim of designing a development strategy. Observers said there was a sharp focus on economic diversification and structural change.

“We realise that Cambodia has a lot of potential, but how to reach that it is a very important issue,” Chea said. “We hope to learn how to make our exports more competitive, diversify our export products and [deal] with economic issues caused by external factors.

The conference was divided into three sessions: Cambodia’s recent development, its transformation by the global economy, and a discussion about unlocking the Kingdom’s economic growth potential.