Industry update

The value of goods made in the Kingdom’s factories increased by about 19 percent last year as the number of factories also increased, according to data from the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy.

Cambodia’s small and medium-sized enterprises and larger factories produced goods valued at US$4.655 billion in 2010 on $3.903 billion in 2009, the figures show – an increase of 19.2 percent according to The Post's calculations.

Ministry Director General Meng Saktheara said yesterday that factories were showing remarkable growth in Cambodia, largely through the increasing levels of agricultural business in domestic markets.

“The most significant growth observed in 2010 was in the agri-industry, such as food and beverage processing,” he said.

“This sector’s strong demand is directly tied to peoples’ improved living conditions.”

With much of the Kingdom’s current exporting industry based around the garment industry, he said the government is keen to promote diversification of the Kingdom’s industrial base, as well as increasing the number of SMEs. Cambodia had 38,023 licensed factories at the end of last year, compared with 36,116 at the end of 2009, the figures showed.