The Siam Cement Group (SCG) of Thailand has established the Siam Cement Cambodia

Trading Co., Ltd. to be headquartered at 26 Achar Mean Rd., Phnom Penh.

"The Siam Cement Group is interested in exporting cement to Cambodia because

it [Cambodia] is near Thailand," said Paiboon Khemakanok, general manager of

Siam Cement Cambodia Trading (SCCT), whose company will try to meet the demand for

construction materials in the booming villa and hotel building and renovation industry

that took off almost immediately after the peace accords were signed last year.

Since October, Tiger and Elephant brand grey cements and white cement have arrived.

More than 200 other items imported by SCCT-construction and electronic materials-are

expected to be available on the Cambodian market soon.

The price for the SCCT cements has been set at U.S. $82 to U.S. $85 per ton. Two

agents for each item have been appointed by SCCT to establish contacts as well as

to control pricing.

"We import and pay taxes under the laws of Cambodia. We don't wish to pay under

the table to local officials. This is the policy of Siam Cement Group in Thailand,"

Paiboon said.