The European Commission announced the partial suspension of Cambodia's preferential trade preferences with the EU after the government failed to address serious human rights concerns.

Aid-dependent nation goes from one of region's least to most taxed in bid to shore up economic independence
Cambodia is seeking to squeeze more from less as the government ramps up tax collection amid a slowing economy.

While the nation previously had some of Asia’s lowest tax rates, the bid to boost state coffers threatens to discourage private business at a time the nation needs new growth drivers.

Last year, the General Department of Taxation (GDT) collected US$2.2 billion in taxes, up roughly 28% from 2018.

Combined with the $2.3 billion taken by the General Department of Customs and Excise, the government collected a third more in taxes than it had projected.