ELIMINATING BARRIERS TO BUSINESS AT THE PROVINCIAL LEVEL
One of the most widely recognized successes of The Asia Foundation's Economic Reform and Development program in Cambodia is the innovative Provincial Business Environment Scorecard (PBES). The program is a partnership between the International Finance Corporation’s Mekong Private Sector Development Facility and The Asia Foundation. Drawing on the perceptions of the business community, the first PBES ranked the achievements of provincial governments in developing business-friendly policy environments. The PBES used 10 basic criteria to identify the provinces that have excelled at various aspects of provincial governance and communicate the successful practices to struggling provinces. The first PBES ranked the country's 10 most economically active provinces based on interviews with 500 business leaders. The results generated widespread public attention, engaging both the public and private sectors in constructive dialogue to improve economic governance. The PBES is now being expanded to cover all 24 provinces.
NATIONAL TASK FORCE AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Trafficking in persons is one of the most serious human rights issues facing Cambodia today. The Asia Foundation supported the National Task Force (NTF) against Human Trafficking, which brought together 11 ministries and three government agencies with more than 200 international organizations, agencies, and local NGOs to take coordinated action against trafficking in Cambodia. The task force addresses three thematic areas: awareness raising and prevention; protection and reintegration of trafficked persons; and strengthening law enforcement and access to justice for trafficked persons. Improved coordination through the task force ensures an improved referral system for victims, increased prosecutions of perpetrators, and better data on trafficking trends to improve government policies and civil society actions against human trafficking.