JAPAN’S Ajinomoto Company plans to officially open its first US$6 million seasoning packaging factory in Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone today.

The firm’s general director Masatoshi Ito said the plant would be the firm’s seventh factory in the ASEAN region and would package goods primarily for the Cambodian market.

“We would provide food with protein through our seasoning production to contribute to enhancing Cambodian people’s health and lives for a better condition,” he said in a draft speech.

The main component of Ajinomoto’s seasoning is monosodium glutamate (MSG), according to a presentation posted on the company’s website. The firm says the safety of the product has been confirmed in multiple international tests.

The plant would provide a boost for the Kingdom’s economy, according to officials. It will employ some 200 people and wrap up to 10,000 tonnes of seasoning in its first year of operation, with greater production to follow, according to Masatoshi Ito.

Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy Suy Sem said, in a draft speech, the operation would not only help Cambodians increase local production of foodstuffs, but could lead to further expansion of Japanese companies.

“We welcome the factory, and hope it convinces other Japanese investors to come to Cambodia,” he said.

Ichiro Nishimura, company director of Ajinomoto (Cambodia) said the company established its first Phnom Penh sales branch in 2001. Last year, it decided to establish a Cambodian subsidiary.

Ajinomoto first began in 1909, selling seasoning products in Japan. It claims to sell its products in more than 100 countries worldwide.

It maintains operations in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam.