WORLD> Asia-Pacific
Cambodia has currency since 4th century
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-12 20:16

PHNOM PENH: Cambodian people have had the currency since the 4th century and firstly printed it in the 15th century, official news agency AKP reported on Monday, citing Jean-Daniel Gardre, former trade and economic advisor at the French Embassy in Cambodia.

The first currency that Cambodia printed in late 15th and early 16th centuries was "Prak Sleung", Jean-Daniel Gardere wrote in his book.

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According to Gardre, Cambodia had trade relations with outsider through river ports since Funan era, but at that time, currency was not popular among local people. It became popular when French Protectorate came to Indochina.

Cambodia printed its own currency and used throughout the country in 1954 after Cambodia got independence from France, Jean-Daniel Gardre added.

This 3-part and 10-chapter book published in Khmer language was launched here on October 9 in a seminar on "Currency and Sovereignty", AKP said.