F OUR Singaporean companies recently got the green light to build a TV factory,

develop a golf course, streamline rice production in Takeo and simplify cargo

transport in Phnom Penh.

The projects - together worth more than $90

million and expected to create about 400 jobs - got formal permission to proceed

in Cambodia during a signing agreement on March 2 at the Cambodian Development

Council.

The approved projects are:

• An electronics assembly plant in Phnom Penh. Thakral Bros is presently

  shipping $2 million worth of TVs, VCRs and radio cassette recorders to Cambodian

  customers. Their aim is to assemble 300,000 sets per year in Cambodia, with some

  of the product built for export. The $1.5 million investment will employ about

  200 workers.

• An inland container depot, also known as a dry port, located in Phnom Penh.

  It will be equipped with warehousing facilities and will provide a full

  documentation and customs clearance service for import and export

  businesses.

• A joint venture between the Sihanoukville port, CWT Singapore and its

  subsidiary Camsin Corporation, the project has a potential investment value of

  $20 million.

• The dry port will start with a registered capital of $5 million. CWT and

  Camsin will collectively hold a majority stake for the first 20 years. After

  that, the majority will be held by the government.

• A 3,000-hectare, $20 million rice and agri-business development in Takeo

  province.

• The development will lease government land for 35 years to develop the

  export potential of rice and other agri-based produce such as soya beans and

  maize. The project is run by the Singapore Rice Consortium, a partnership of

  Hiap Huort Holding Pte Ltd, Intraco Ltd, Thakral Investment Holding Pte Ltd and

  Camsin Corporation.

• A $50 million Royal Cambodia Country Club, a golf course near Phnom Penh. It

  is a joint venture between Maya group and HSL organization group, its Cambodian

  partner.