A Chinese investment delegation recently visited Kampong Thom province to explore the potential of cashew production and opportunities for trade cooperation for exporting processed cashew nuts to China.
According to a statement by the Department of Agro-Industry on Saturday, Mr. Thon Sopheak, Deputy Director of the Agro-Trade Bureau of the Department of Agro-Industry of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, coordinated the visit of the Chinese delegation from Xi’an, Shanxi Province, and Shanghai to inspect cashew nut production in Kampong Thom province from January 8 to 10.
The Chinese delegation visited a cashew processing plant attended by cashew farmers, modern farming communities, cashew nut collectors and the Cambodian Cashew Association.
Explaining the purpose of the visit, the Department of Agro-Industry said the visiting delegation assessed the potential of cashew nut production and sought opportunities for establishing trade cooperation in exporting processed cashew nuts to the Chinese market.
In addition, the delegation also highlighted investment opportunities in processing local cashew nuts in Cambodia for export to China and explored challenges in cashew production, including pest problems and fertilizer use.
The Cambodian Cashew Association held a key meeting with the Chinese delegation, during which the parties discussed issues related to strategic opportunities in cashew plantations and processing plants.
The Cambodian Cashew Association added that “Chinese business groups are interested in exploring joint investments for cashew processing plants in both the long and short term, especially the purchase of processed cashew nuts. The delegation plans to return to Cambodia in April to maximize further benefits.”
In addition, representatives of the Cambodian Cashew Association are actively promoting discussions with a Chinese delegation from Jainshi, Hubei Province, who returned to Cambodia for their second visit in mid-October last year.
Notably, in January, Sok Siphanna, Senior Minister in Charge of Special Mission (Multilateral Trade and Economic Affairs) and Chairman of the Trade Policy Advisory Committee, held a meeting at Kampong Thom Provincial Hall to discuss the development of the cashew industry in the province.
The meeting was attended by Kong Chantararath, Advisor to Prime Minister Hun Manet, Kampong Thom Governor Nuon Pharath, along with the Deputy Governor of Kampong Thom, the Deputy Governor of Kampong Cham, heads of relevant departments from both provinces, and the private sector in the cashew industry.
Suy Kokthean, Vice President of the Cambodian Cashew Association, who attended the meeting, told the Khmer Times yesterday that both the public and private sectors aimed to find common ground on how to support Cambodia’s cashew sector. However, there were still some details that the working group requested not to be made public.
Kokthean said that overall, the outcome of the meeting was positive with productive contributions from the ministry’s working group, the Prime Minister’s working group, and the private sector processing working group.
“When the industrial park established by the Prime Minister of Cambodia is put into operation, it will further boost processing and ensure price stability for cashew farmers, preventing the fluctuations and instability experienced in the past. The purpose of establishing this industrial park is to supply raw materials, facilitate the processing process and import technology to increase operations in this industrial park,” said Kok Thean.
Therefore, what the government is creating will be a great development for the Cambodian cashew industry.”
It is worth recalling that in late November last year, Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed to establish a cashew industrial park in Kampong Thom province, which could create a new source of income for people living in Zone 3 of Tonle Sap Lake.
He added, “We use state land for development, not private land. The state provides the land while private companies contribute to the project by jointly establishing a cashew industrial park in Kampong Thom province.”
