Cambodia earns over $1.5 billion from cashew nuts exports. “We don’t have enough funds to rotate such a large amount. That’s why we proposed a system where money enters the account and the vehicle spins the wheel, as otherwise, we cannot purchase raw materials. Negotiations are ongoing, and I hope we can reach a favourable deal,” he said. Last week, Kampong Thom Governor Nuon Pharath met with a Korean delegation to discuss investment opportunities in cashew processing in the province. Pharath highlighted that Kampong Thom’s cashew plantations span 150,000 hectares, with an average yield of 1.5 tonnes per hectare annually, producing over 220,000 tonnes—30 percent of Cambodia’s total production. “This meeting supports the vision of Prime Minister Hun Manet, who authorised the establishment of an agro-industrial park to transform Kampong Thom into Cambodia’s cashew processing hub,” Pharath said. It may be recalled that the Unique Noble Trading Co. Ltd. last week broke ground for a new cashew processing plant in Kampong Thom province as the world’s second-largest producer continues to expand the billion-dollar industry. Pin Phirom, Director-General of the Unique Noble said the factory would process 30 tonnes of nuts a day and will create 200-400 jobs. The factory will also process cashew apples and shells into oil and fertiliser, she said. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the ‘Summarise the Work Result of Ministry of Commerce (MoC) in 2024 and the Work Direction for 2025’ on Friday, Aun Pornmoniroth, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, urged the Ministry of Commerce to promote strategies to strengthen existing markets and expand new ones. “Collaboration is needed to strengthen domestic production and promote the use of Khmer products through local and international exhibitions. The MoC must also focus on increasing the registration of geographical indications and collective marks to enhance the quality and branding of Cambodian products in both domestic and international markets,” Pornmoniroth said.