During the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his strong appreciation for the establishment of the state-of-the-art facility by the iconic U.S. car manufacturer. He highlighted Pursat province’s increasing appeal as a destination for international investors, particularly those from the United States, Japan, and other nations, noting that the province now boasts approximately 400 operational factories.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Cambodian government’s unwavering support for investors, pledging to further ease regulatory burdens through measures such as tax reductions and by ensuring long-term political and economic stability within the Kingdom.

“Today, Cambodia can proudly label products ‘Made in Cambodia’ not only on garments and textiles but also on cars,” the Prime Minister declared with pride. “This signifies a truly significant milestone in our nation’s economic development.”

Samdech Thipadei also reiterated Cambodia’s open and welcoming stance towards all foreign investors, emphasizing the nation’s dedication to fostering a non-discriminatory investment environment where all are treated equitably.

The newly inaugurated Ford production line and sub-assembly plant is operated by RMA Cambodia, a well-established private company that has been a part of Cambodia’s economic landscape since 1992.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Kevin Whitcraft, CEO of RMA Group, shared details of the company’s significant investment in the project. He revealed that an initial investment of US$21 million was made to establish the assembly plant on a five-hectare site. Demonstrating the company’s growing commitment and confidence in Cambodia’s potential, the project has since expanded to cover 12 hectares, with the total investment now reaching US$26.8 million.

Furthermore, Mr. Whitcraft announced a significant upgrade to the plant’s production capabilities. The facility has transitioned from Completely Knocked Down (CKD) assembly to Incompletely Knocked Down (IKD)-1 level. This technological advancement will enable a substantial increase in production capacity, now exceeding 10,000 vehicles per year, meeting the growing demand in the local and potentially regional markets.

According to Prime Minister Hun Manet, this latest addition brings the total number of car assembly plants operating in Cambodia to nine, further solidifying the country’s position as an emerging player in the regional automotive sector. The inauguration of Ford’s new plant represents not just an economic boost but also a symbol of Cambodia’s industrial progress and its increasing integration into the global supply chain.

The post Ford’s New Plant Signals Growth for Cambodia’s Auto Sector first appeared on Estatedia | Economy & Real Estate Media in Cambodia.

RMA Group has a long history of investing in Cambodia, dating back to 1992. The company is the largest vehicle and equipment distribution, sales, and service operator in the country. RMA Cambodia is also the authorized distributor of Ford vehicles in Cambodia.

In 2022, RMA Group received approval from the Royal Government of Cambodia to invest in a FORD car assembly plant in Pursat province with an investment of 21 million dollars. The plant is expected to start operations in 2024 and will produce a range of Ford vehicles, including SUVs and pickup trucks.

RMA Group’s investment in the Cambodian automotive sector is a significant boost for the country’s economy. The plant will create jobs, generate export revenue, and help to develop the local automotive supply chain.

Cambodia’s automotive sector is growing rapidly. In 2022, the sector attracted $1.38 billion in investment capital. Automotive components manufacturers and vehicle assemblers from Japan, Korea, and China are major investors in the sector.

The Royal Government of Cambodia has adopted a policy framework to support the development of the automotive sector. The Cambodia Automotive and Electronics Sectors Development Roadmap, which was adopted in 2022, aims to make Cambodia a regional hub for automotive manufacturing and assembly.

The post RMA Group leads the way in Cambodia’s automotive sector first appeared on Estatedia | Economy & Real Estate Media in Cambodia.