High Level Discussion Between the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Singapore to the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (ARDB) on Exploring Opportunities to Promote Cambodia’s Agro-Processing Industry and Enhance Exports of Agricultural Products to Singapore
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H.E. Steven Pang Chee Wee, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Singapore to the Kingdom of Cambodia, paid a courtesy visit to H.E. Dr. KAO Thach, Delegate of the Royal Government in Charge as Chief Executive Officer of the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (ARDB), to discuss opportunities for promoting Cambodia’s agro-processing industry and strengthening cooperation in exporting agricultural products to Singapore. The discussion took place on 2 July 2026 at ARDB Headquarters in Phnom Penh. During the discussion, H.E. Dr. KAO Thach provided an overview of the current state of Cambodia’s agro-processing sector, with a particular focus on five strategic agricultural commodities: Rice, Cashew Nut, Cassava, Maize, and Mango. H.E. Dr. Thach emphasized Cambodia’s strong investment potential in the agro-processing industry, noting that the country now has the capacity to produce these five strategic commodities in sufficient quantity and quality to ensure a reliable supply of raw materials for processing enterprises targeting export markets. In addition, H.E. Dr. KAO Thach shared information on the agricultural value chains of these five strategic commodities, as well as the value chains for safe vegetables cultivated in protected net houses and fruit production. He also explained the role of the Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (ARDB) in supporting the entire agricultural value chain—from upstream production through downstream processing and market development—by providing financial support across the production ecosystem to strengthen Cambodia’s agricultural competitiveness and promote sustainable agro-industrial development. In response, H.E. Steven Pang Chee Wee expressed a positive interest in exploring opportunities to promote Cambodia’s agro-processing industry and to strengthen bilateral cooperation in expanding Cambodia’s agricultural exports to Singapore. He also reaffirmed his commitment to sharing information on the potential of Cambodia’s agricultural sector with Singaporean investors, as well as increasing awareness among businesses and consumers in Singapore about Cambodian agricultural products. As an initial step, safe vegetables and fruit products were identified as priority sectors for collaboration, as they involve relatively less complex regulatory and food safety requirements compared with meat and aquaculture products. This would provide a practical starting point for enhancing agricultural trade between Cambodia and Singapore while laying the foundation for broader cooperation in the future. This discussion reaffirmed the shared commitment of both sides to strengthening economic cooperation, encouraging investment in agro-processing, and expanding market access for Cambodia’s value-added agricultural products in Singapore.
