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In 2001, the Cambodian government instituted a new land law in part to standardize the awarding of economic land concessions which, hitherto, were governed by little legislation which, in any event, was mostly ignored. Economic land concessions in Cambodia normally involve very large tracts of land and are similar to long leases; they are usually for 70 years with a right of extension. The land law provided a general framework for economic land concessions and called for adopting administrative rules which the government is nearly finished preparing. It is doubtful, though, that the government and concessionaires will respect this greatly improved framework, and therefore doubtful that the well-documented abuses of the past will cease. These abuses had important social, economic, cultural and environmental consequences involving the dispossession and impoverishment of local populations. They also led to many conflicts.

(French language available here)