Hanoi (VNA) - Over the past five-tear term of the National Assembly, theCambodian People’s Party (CPP) has done a lot for the Cambodian people, helpingraise public confidence in the upcoming general election.

Themaintenance of  peace, politicalstability and security has created favourable conditions for Cambodia tocontinue recording new and greater achievements in socio-economic developmentand in the improvement of the people’s living standards.

Cambodiahas emerged from a low-income country into a low-middle income nation, and ison the path towards the high-middle income status by 2030.

Suchachievements have demonstrated the success in the implementation of thePolitical Platform and the Rectangular Strategy - Phase 3 during the five-yearterm of the Government led by Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and provedthat they have received public support and trust.

Thiswas primarily attributable to the CPP led by PM Hun Sen that has worked tostrengthen national unity, step up Constitution enforcement and protect themonarchy.

TheParty has also promoted democracy and multi-party freedom, and ensured respectfor human rights, law observance and social equality.

Thesemottos continue to be included in the CPP’s election platform for the 2018-2023period.

Cambodia’seconomy has developed rapidly and sustainably with an average annual growthrate of 7.7 percent over the past two decades and resilience to the financialcrisis in 2008. With the performance, Cambodia has been ranked by the WorldBank among countries with record high growth rates and considered a new tigereconomy in Asia.

Thecountry’s firm growth has been reflected through outcomes of such sectors asindustry, garment-textile, construction, agriculture, tourism and real estate.

Itis noteworthy that Cambodia has transformed from an agriculture-based countryinto a nation driven by industry and services.

Everyeffort for sustainable development aims to serve the people. Statistics revealthat Cambodian people’s living standards have been improved significantly, withper capita income increasing from 1,042 USD in 2013 to 1,563 USD in 2018.

Thepoverty rate has also been reduced from 53.5 percent in 2004 to 13 percent in2016, and is expected to be brought down further in the time ahead. Besides, theincome gap has been narrowed down gradually.

Thanksto the cautious implementation of macro-economic policies to keep the economy stableand to promote the economic diversification, the competiveness, production andconsumption inside the country, Cambodia has reaped encouraging fruits in otheraspects.

Thecountry’s foreign reserves expanded from more than 3.64 billion USD in 2013 to9.05 billion USD in 2017 thanks to increasing foreign direct investment (FDI)inflows.

Apartfrom better payment balance, Cambodia has the lowest public debt in the region.

TheWorld Bank has forecast that Cambodia’s economy would grow 7 percent each yearduring 2018-2019. In the first four months of this year, the country attracted 634million USD in FDI with 47 new projects, while its export turnover reached 8.3billion USD.

Inthe first quarter of 2018, Cambodia welcomed 1.7 million internationaltourists, up 1.9 percent against the same period last year.

PMHun Sen has pointed out that the Royal Government has continuously worked outurgent measures to deal with all difficulties, worries and aspirations of people,and paid due attention to improving the quality and efficiency of and toexpanding public services.

Democracy,rights to freedom of citizens, and law enforcement have also been intensified,he said.

Inthe election platform, the CPP commits many policies beneficial to people suchas no tax on farmer households’ agriculture land, higher monthly salaries forworkers, labourers, civil servants and armed forces, and higher pensions andother allowances.

Besides,youths from all walks of life will have opportunities to receive vocationaltraining, get jobs and participate in the decision-making process at bothcentral and grassroots levels.  Eachdistrict will have a high school, each commune a secondary school and eachvillage a primary school.

Residentswill have access to better health care at State medical centres and hospitals.The poor and those who are unable to work will get free health check-ups andtreatment at State medical centres and hospitals.-VNA