PHNOM PENH: A delegation from Vietnamese aquaculture leader Comay Group has conducted a series of field inspections across fish farms and processing facilities in Kampong Thom province, signaling a move to deepen cross-border agricultural supply chains.
The visit on Sunday, led by H.E. Dr. Suong Noy, Secretary of State at the Office of the Council of Ministers, targeted Santuk district to evaluate local production capacity and establish direct market linkages between Vietnamese industrial expertise and Cambodian raw materials.
During a consultative meeting at the Santuk district hall, Comay Group—a veteran firm established in 1981—pitched a circular trade model. The company proposed supplying high-quality fish feed to Cambodian aquaculture farmers at competitive rates in exchange for purchasing “premium” Cambodian agricultural outputs, including 5451 variety dry-season rice, rice bran, broken rice, and cassava.
“Santuk district possesses a unique trifecta of expansive land, abundant raw materials, and reliable water resources via the Chinit River irrigation system,” said Santuk District Governor Mr. Vannak Sopheanith. He urged the Vietnamese firm to move beyond trade and consider direct investment in local processing plants.
The Fisheries Administration underscored the region’s untapped potential, noting that while Cambodia’s freshwater fish yield hovers around 6,000 tonnes annually, districts like Santuk are primed for scaling up due to the January 1st Dam infrastructure.
To bridge the technical gap, H.E. Dr. Suong Noy secured a commitment from Comay to provide: Hands-on training for Cambodian farmers and commune officials at Comay’s advanced facilities in Vietnam; Specialised workshops on harvesting techniques and international market access; A pilot project was immediately greenlit at the 80-hectare fish farm of local entrepreneur Tan Vanna to test the efficacy of Comay’s specialised feed.
Addressing potential investor concerns, H.E. Dr. Suong Noy reiterated the Royal Government of Cambodia’s commitment to a “zero-tolerance” policy regarding informal payments, promising a transparent and streamlined environment for Vietnamese enterprises looking to enter the Kampong Thom market.
The Santuk district administration is now expected to conduct a formal assessment of local demand for Comay’s products to finalise the volume of the upcoming reciprocal trade agreement.