Japan-Cambodia joint venture to start production after ministry approval

NCT Jacam Energy Co is set to begin producing jatropha oil this month once approval from the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy is received, according to company President Chheuy Sophors.

The Japan-Cambodia joint venture plans to produce 100 litres of the oil, which can be converted into biodiesel, daily when the plant opens. It will raise capacity to 5,000 litres a day within a year, he said.

The company planned to present documents to the ministry Thursday, having already received permission from the Ministry of Commerce.

Permission appeared to be a formality, with ministry Secretary of State Sath Samy telling the Post Thursday that he welcomed all entrants to the sector. “I haven’t seen the permission letter yet, but I will support them if they can produce jatrapha oil in our country and reduce our need to import oil from outside,” he said.

Chheuy Sophors said the US$400,000 factory in Kampong Speu province would be the first in the country. The company had been developing the technology for around four years, he said.

It would source around 5,000 tonnes of jatropha from local growers every year, he said.

The oil would be priced at 3,500 riels per litre, around the current price of crude oil.