Battambang (FN), Jan. 24 – "I am here to learn more about Battambang's important role as the ricebowl of Cambodia. I am confident that there is ample room for cooperation with Indonesia,” the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Santo Darmosumarto, made such remarks during his meeting with the Governor of Battambang Province, Sok Lou, yesterday (Jan, 23).

Governor Sok highlighted the historical relations between the two countries, especially Indonesia's contributions towards the peace process in Cambodia in the 1990s. He also welcomed the interest of Indonesian businesses to invest in the agricultural sector in Battambang, especially the rice industry.

As Indonesia and Cambodia celebrates the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, Ambassador Darmosumarto believed that such close historical ties must be tranaformed into concrete, economic cooperation directly beneficial to the two peoples. He also proposed the potential for developing partnerships between Battambang and provinces in Indonesia.

While in Battambang, Ambassador Darmosumarto took time to visit 3 rice mills: Baitang, Phuo Poy, and City Rice. The visit aimed at understanding the process and dynamics of rice production as well as at exchanging views on ways to expand cooperation in this field.

Ambassador Darmosumarto also met with the leaders and members of the Battambang Chamber of Commerce as well as Young Entrepreneurs Association of Cambodia (Battambang Chapter). During the discussions, it was highlighted the Embassy's activities for 2024 to push for more bilateral economic interactions.

In November 2023, Indonesia received the first ever shipment of Cambodian rice imports. This has opened new opportunities for bilateral trade cooperation, which saw Indonesia becoming Cambodia's No. 6 trading partner in 2023. For the first time, bilateral trade volume broke the USD 1 billion mark.
=FRESH NEWS