Preah Vihear (FN), Jan. 29 – Cambodian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Dith Tina, announced that Cambodia now has 179 factories and handicrafts engaged in processing rubber and rubberwood, marking an increase of six compared to 2023.

The minister made these remarks during the inauguration of a rubber processing plant and the opening of a new rubber mill by Try Pheap Import Export Co., Ltd., held in Romney Commune, Rovieng District, Preah Vihear Province, on 28 January 2025.

The event was presided over by Hun Many, Minister of Civil Service, who represented Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Minister Dith Tina noted that the agricultural sector continues to play a crucial role in ensuring food security, driving economic growth, creating employment, and improving citizens' livelihoods. Regarding rubber research, he highlighted that the Ministry has developed two new rubber clones, CRRI 12 and CRRI 19, which offer high yields and are well suited to Cambodia’s environmental conditions. He stressed the need for these clones to be cultivated more extensively in the future.

“Currently, Cambodia has 179 factories and handicrafts processing rubber and rubberwood, an increase of six compared to 2023. These include 56 rubber processing factories, one condensed rubber processing factory, 101 rubber sheet processing factories, and 21 rubberwood processing factories. Notably, this sector has provided 140,000 jobs and supports the livelihoods of 420,000 people,” the minister underscored.

On this occasion, Minister Dith Tina highlighted that in 2024, total revenue from rubber product exports reached USD 671.7 million, an increase of more than USD 150 million compared to 2023. Meanwhile, the three domestic tyre factories collected 58,000 tonnes of domestic rubber, valued at approximately USD 96.4 million—an increase of over USD 50 million compared to the previous year.

The minister reaffirmed that the private sector remains an essential partner and a key driving force in the development of Cambodia’s agricultural sector. In this regard, he stated that the Ministry of Agriculture welcomes and encourages further private sector investment, which will help create jobs, raise incomes, boost exports, and drive national economic growth.
=FRESH NEWS