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Cambodian PM calls for more investment in rice storage facilities, drying machines

Xinhua, January 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday called for more investment in rice storage facilities and drying machines in order to increase the country's rice export capacity.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 5th Cambodia Rice Forum here, Hun Sen said the lack of rice storage facilities and drying machines is a key challenge for the country in buying a large amount of paddy rice from farmers and more investment in these sectors is needed.

"The government of Cambodia has been negotiating with China for loans to construct storage facilities and drying machines across the country," he told the forum, which took part by some 700 people who are policy makers, rice millers, exporters, farmer-representatives, and transport company representatives.

The prime minister said China is the largest importer of milled rice from Cambodia and expressed his confidence that the world's second largest economy would continue to support Cambodia in rice industry development.

Meanwhile, Hun Sen said the government would continue to invest in irrigation system, rice species production, and transportation infrastructure in order to facilitate the development of rice industry.

Cambodia exported a total of 538,396 tons of milled rice to over 50 countries and regions last year, up 39 percent year-on-year, according to the government's figures.

The Southeast Asian country made over 9.2 million tons of paddy rice last year. With this amount, the country will have over 3 million tons of milled rice left over for exports this year. Enditem