Prime Minister Hun Manet has expressed his enthusiasm over the first shipment of milled rice to Indonesia, highlighting it as a significant step for the nation’s export market. This development marks Cambodia’s inroad into one of the most populous ASEAN markets.

The ceremonial welcome for the initial 3,500 tonnes of the commodity was held at Tanjung Emas Harbor, in Central Java’s Semarang City on November 2. The event was organised by Indonesia’s National Food Administration (NFA) and acknowledged by officials from both countries.

Manet announced on his Facebook page that the historic shipment arrived in Indonesia – ASEAN’s largest economy – after successful market negotiations concluded in August.

He said the effort was achieved through the combined efforts of the government’s top leaders and the active participation of various groups, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), along with the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) in the private sector.

“All these efforts align with the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase I, which is centred on promoting agriculture and rural development. The strategy aims to bolster the modern, diversified and resilient agricultural sector, underpinning rural advancement to guarantee food security and safety, enhance value addition, boost competitiveness and elevate the living standards of the rural populace,” he stated.

Song Saran, chairman of the CRF – the Kingdom’s apex rice industry body – said the first shipment of milled rice to Indonesia is an historic achievement for the country’s export market, born from the collaborative efforts of stakeholders across the board, both the government and the private sector.

For full article, please read here

Author: Hin Pisei

Publication date: 02 November 2023

Source: The Phnom Penh Post