Within three years, the control of seven million ha of forests was transferred to thirty-three different concessions managed by Cambodian, Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian, Russian, Taiwanese, and Thai companies. The process through which concessions were granted consisted of direct and non-transparent negotiations between the state and the private companies, thus leaving ample room for nepotism and corruption (White and Case 1998; World Bank 1996). Concessionaires must abide by the Cambodian Forestry Law and the Sub-Decree on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which clearly articulate sustainable forest management practices, including allowable annual cut and environmental impact mitigation requirements (RGC 2002; MoE 1999)