PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced that U.S. companies are poised to significantly increase their purchases of Cambodian rice for the American market. This revelation came during the closing ceremony of the 7th Cambodian Rice Forum in Phnom Penh.

During a recent meeting, U.S. businesses expressed their keen interest in expanding their imports of Cambodian rice. Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed pride in the growing presence of Cambodian products on American shelves, noting that the variety of goods available has expanded significantly from his student days.

The Prime Minister encouraged all stakeholders to continue working together to promote Cambodian products on the global stage. From January to August 2024, Cambodia’s exports to international markets reached $17.58 billion, a 16.7% increase compared to the same period last year.

At the 7th Cambodia Rice Forum, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation Hem Vanndy also highlighted the crucial role of rice processing in enhancing the sector’s value. He stressed the need for investment in infrastructure, such as transportation, logistics, and processing plants, to support this goal.

Minister Vanndy also advocated for the adoption of environmentally friendly farming practices and modern agricultural technologies. To further support the rice sector, MISTI has transformed its National Laboratory into a public administration institution, which will offer expanded testing capabilities starting in December.

Cambodia currently has 19 large-scale rice factories and 19,570 small and medium-sized rice mills. The government aims to increase rice exports to 1 million tonnes by 2025.