PM Hun Manet Pushes Agro‑Processing to Boost Value Creation and Farmers’ Incomes

TBONG KHMUM, May 27, 2026 (KPT) — Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet has reaffirmed agro‑processing as a national priority, urging Cambodia to move beyond raw exports and expand value‑added industries to raise farmers’ incomes and strengthen competitiveness.

Speaking at the inauguration of the $30 million KIMS Rubber factory in Tbong Khmum province, Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said agricultural processing is central to the government’s Pentagonal Strategy. “Increasing agro‑processing is a priority to generate higher value‑added products, enhance competitiveness, and improve the livelihoods of Cambodian farmers,” he declared.

The plant, built on 15 hectares with capacity to process 100,000 tons of rubber annually, is expected to create 300 direct jobs and more than 50,000 indirect jobs. Hun Manet said the project reflects investor confidence in Cambodia’s stability and business climate.

He cited rising domestic sales revenue — up 131 percent to $223 million in 2025 — as evidence of growing local processing capacity. Cambodia earned $833 million from rubber product sales last year, a 24 percent increase compared to 2024.

Samdech Thipadei highlighted policies including the National Agricultural Development Policy 2022–2030 and the Natural Rubber Development Strategic Plan toward 2030, alongside efforts to promote domestic production chains in milk, noodles, sugar and cashew processing.

Plans for a Cashew Industrial Park in Kampong Thom province aim to connect farmers to stable, high‑value international markets.

The premier also stressed the importance of logistics and transport infrastructure, citing expansion at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port and the Funan Techo Canal project. He encouraged KIMS Rubber to accelerate plans for a second factory in Ratanakiri, backed by another $30 million investment.