After observing Cambodia’s rapid pace of construction in recent years, a company in France that specialises in producing bricks from cement is preparing to enter the local market.

Last Friday, “Modern construction equipments and new construction techniques of France” – a workshop that was held at the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction’s (MLMUPC) office – spotlighted Edouard Plattard, manager of France-based company Plattard Sas, who spoke about the quality and benefits of his company’s products.

Moreover, he described the process of producing concrete bricks using raw materials like sand and gravel from riverbeds.

Plattard said that the concrete bricks from his company come in all sizes in order to “provide convenience for constructors”.

Nhem Buntheoun, a civil engineering professor from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, posed an interesting question to Plattard, asking: “As for the case in Cambodia, currently, the value of land property is very high, and there is demand for construction of very tall buildings, as high as 10 storeys. The question is, can Plattard blocks withstand the pressure of such high buildings?”

In response, Edouard said, “In many areas in France, the government only permits the construction of buildings with less than five storeys. However, our blocks have the capacity to be incorporated with even higher buildings.”

MLMUPC secretary of state Phoeung Sophoan encouraged Plattard to establish a presence in the booming construction industry.

“We welcome and encourage Plattard to set up their factory in Cambodia as soon as possible,” he said.

Edouard declined to clarify how much capital would be required to establish his company in Cambodia, stating that any investment would be dependent on market demand.

“First of all, we need at least two hectares of land. We will use this space to build a small-scale factory before we expand ourselves,” he said.

Chhor Bun Sam, a Cambodian-French expat, who has been assisting Plattard in the company’s ambitions to set up in Cambodia, said French investors do a great deal of brainstorming before they decide to pursue a new venture or expansion.

“I think that in three to six months we will try to complete the legal proceedings in order to make Plattard a presence in Cambodia,” Bun Sam said.

He continued, “I’ve known Plattard for a long time. This company is the third most famous company in France. My dream is to introduce well-known companies into Cambodia to assist in the advancement of our country.”