A Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between Khmer Enterprise (KE), the Cambodia Australia Agricultural Value Chain Program (Cavac) and the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC). Supplied
Cambodia and Australia are jointly implementing the “Public-Private Partnership Forum and Research Institution” to provide financial and technical support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to produce agri-food products.
The Cambodian government has partnered with the Australian government and partners to develop the agricultural product processing industry and attract more local and international investment, said a Khmer Enterprise (KE) statement obtained by The Post on Wednesday.
KE is an implementation unit of the Entrepreneurship Development Fund established by the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
KE and the Cambodia Australia Agricultural Value Chain Program (Cavac) will provide raw materials, as well as technical and financial assistance to participants in the project, said the statement.
The Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) will provide further technical assistance, equipment, and facilities to support the development and processing of agri-food products.
It said: “SMEs interested in participating in this project should consult with the ITC to submit a proposal and send it to Cavac for review.
“If the request is selected, the successful SMEs will work with the ITC on product innovation and technology transfer. The project will begin receiving applications from mid-June.”
KE CEO Dr Chhieng Vanmunin said that with the support of the ministry, KE has the vision to become the national platform for promoting entrepreneurial activities in Cambodia.
He said: “The project is in one of the priority areas of Cambodian entrepreneurs, agricultural processing.
“In addition to agri-food product development support, entrepreneurs can also get other support from KE such as capacity upgrading and co-investment opportunities.”
Australian Ambassador to Cambodia Pablo Kang said the Australian government, through the Cavac programme, has been supporting the agri-food sector in the Kingdom for many years.
“Now the Australian government is pleased to work with KE and the ITC in building the foundation for the high-quality food processing industry in Cambodia that will be produced by Cambodian SMEs,” he said.
ITC director Dr Om Romny noted that ITC’s vision is to be a leading university in Cambodia in higher education and technology transfer and to support the sustainable development of the Kingdom’s economy.
“Through the project, ITC will use its existing lab facilities and including skills and technology in agri-food product processing development and to help SMEs to produce new agri-food processing products,” he said.
