TWO Cambodian firms are to be granted land concessions covering 17,000 hectares this week to grow rubber in Preah Vihear province.

Kong Chan, managing director of Seladamex, said yesterday that his firm expected to be given 9,000 hectares, and Rattana Corporation 8,000 hectares, for cultivation in Srayang commune, Kolen district.

“We got approval in principle from Prime Minister Hun Sen for the 99-year land concession,” he said. “The agriculture ministry will officially sign the agreement this week."

Investment would be part of a joint venture with a Vietnamese rubber firm. Seladamex runs a cotton-processing plant in Battambang.