A Chinese investment delegation recently visited Kampong Thom province to explore the potential of cashew production and opportunities for commercial collaboration for exporting processed cashew nuts to China. Thun Sopheak, deputy head of the Agribusiness Office of the Department of Agro-Industry from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), coordinated the visit of the Chinese delegation from Xi’an city of Shanxi Province, Shanghai to inspect cashew nut production in Kampong Thom from January 8-10, said a statement from the Department of Agro-Industry on Saturday. The Chinese delegation visited the cashew processing factories that are engaged with cashew farmers, modern farming communities, cashew nut collectors, and the Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC). Outlining the objectives of the visit, the Department of Agro-Industry said that the visiting delegation assessed the potential of cashew production and explored opportunities for establishing trade collaborations in exporting processed cashew nuts to the Chinese market. Apart from these, the delegation also identified investment opportunities in processing cashew nuts locally in Cambodia for export to China, and understand the challenges in cashew production, including issues like pests and use of fertilizers. The CAC held a crucial meeting with the Chinese delegation, during which they discussed issues related to strategic opportunities in cashew plantations and processing plants. “The Chinese business groups are keen on exploring joint venture investments for both long- and short-term cashew processing facilities, specifically to purchase processed cashew nuts. They are scheduled to return to Cambodia in April to solidify their interests further,” CAC added. Additionally, CAC representatives are actively advancing discussions with Chinese delegates from Jainshi, Hubei Province, who returned to Cambodia for their second visit in mid-October last year. It should be noted that in January, Sok Siphana, Senior Minister in charge of Special Missions (Multilateral Trade and Economic Affairs) and Chairman of Trade Policy Advisory Board (TPAB), convened a meeting at the Kampong Thom Provincial Hall to discuss cashew nut industry development in the province. The meeting was attended by Kong Chandararot, Advisor to Prime Minister Hun Manet, Noun Pharoth, Governor of Kampong Thom, along with Kampong Thom Deputy Governors, Kampong Cham Deputy Governors, relevant provincial department heads from both provinces, and private sector in the cashew nut industry. Suy Kokthean, Vice President of the CAC, who attended the meeting told Khmer Times yesterday that both the state and private parties aimed to find a common ground on how to support the Cambodian cashew sector. However, there are still some details that the working group has requested not to be made public. Overall, the results of the meeting were positive with productive contributions from the working groups of ministries, the Prime Minister and the private sector processing working group, said Kokthean. “Once the industrial park established by the head of the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) becomes operational, it will significantly promote processing and ensure price stability for cashew farmers, preventing the fluctuations and instability experienced in the past. The objectives of establishing this industrial park were to supply raw materials, facilitate processing, and import technology to enhance operations within the park,” said Kokthean. “So, what the government is creating will definitely be one of the best developments for the Cambodian cashew industry.” It may be recalled that in late November last year, Prime Minister Hun Manet agreed to establish a cashew industrial park in Kampong Thom province that can create a new source of income for the people living in Tonle Sap Lake’s Zone 3. “We use state-owned land for development, not private land. The state provides land, while private companies contribute projects, working collaboratively to establish a cashew industrial park in Kampong Thom,” he said.