How Cambodiaโs Core Policy Ensures Stability and Drives Modern Reform
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia โ The “Maintain the Old, Build the New” (แแแแแถแ แถแแ แแแแแพแแแแแธ) strategy is more than a policy; it is the fundamental strategic vision established by Samdech Techo Hun Sen that guides Cambodiaโs long-term development. This enduring strategy ensures the nation progresses swiftly without jeopardizing the stability and achievements secured over decades.
This analysis decodes Samdech Techo’s core directives, explaining how these two seemingly contrasting principles work in tandem to fuel administrative reform, secure investment, and shape the nation’s future.
I. Maintain the Old: Preserving the Non-Negotiable Foundations
Securing the Legacy of Stability
In Samdech Techo’s directives, “Maintain the Old” refers to the crucial act of protecting and reinforcing the strategic pillars that ensure the survival and prosperity of the nation.
- Protecting Peace and the Win-Win Policy: Samdech Techo consistently emphasizes that peace and political stability, delivered through the Win-Win Policy, are non-negotiable. Maintaining peace is the absolute first priority before any new reform can take place. This ensures the environment remains highly predictable for investors.
- Retaining Experienced Personnel and Partners: The policy advocates for maintaining strong relationships with veteran investors and partners who supported Cambodia’s initial development. Furthermore, it ensures experienced administrative cadres remain in mentoring and advisory roles, guaranteeing the smooth transfer of institutional knowledge.
II. Build the New: Driving Modernization and Innovation
The Mandate for Change and Efficiency
The “Build the New” component showcases Samdech Techo’s flexibility and determination to adapt to global trends, focusing on injecting new energy and skills into the government.
- Integrating Youth and Modern Skills: Samdech Techo fully endorsed bringing young professionals and intellectuals with modern skills (digitalization, green energy, modern finance) into key government positions. This step aims to boost the quality and speed of government performance, particularly in implementing digital governance.
- Economic Diversification and High-Tech Sectors: The directive actively encourages the search for new markets and economic sources beyond traditional sectors. This includes aggressively attracting high-tech industries and investments in sustainable areas like green energy.
- Sharp, Decisive Reforms: “Build the New” is a mandate to courageously eliminate chronic problems and outdated, complex procedures that obstruct progress. Notable examples include the major infrastructure restructuring in Sihanoukville and bold reforms in resource management.
Conclusion: The Balanced Blueprint for Continuous Success
The “Maintain the Old, Build the New” strategy, as championed by Samdech Techo Hun Sen, serves as Cambodiaโs balanced blueprint for continuous national success.
It proves that sustained progress comes not from abandoning the past but from the powerful integration of hard-won peace and experience (Maintain the Old) with the energy of innovation and world-class skills (Build the New). This foundational strategy continues to empower the current government to execute reforms with precision, balance, and high efficiency.