Phnom Penh, September 8, 2025 — In a significant step toward strengthening bilateral agricultural cooperation, H.E. Touch Bunhour, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, met with Dr. Sudhanshu, Secretary-General of India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in a courtesy meeting held at the Ministry this morning.
H.E. Touch Bunhour welcomed the Indian delegation and expressed Cambodia’s interest in expanding trade and investment partnerships with India, particularly in the agricultural sector.
The meeting highlighted key opportunities for collaboration, including the export of Cambodian raw cashew nuts (RCN) to India. The two sides discussed plans to attract Indian investment in Cambodia’s cashew sector, with a focus on establishing cashew industrial park (CIP) in Kampong Thom province — a region identified for its high potential in cashew cultivation.
He also emphasized Cambodia’s readiness to welcome investors in cashew processing and export. He noted that Cambodia produces premium cashew nut varieties such as M23, M10, H09, and IM4, which have strong appeal in international markets.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with the Indian delegation set to continue discussions with Cambodian private sector representatives and conduct a field visit to Kampong Thom province. The visit aims to promote deeper cooperation and encourage Indian investment in Cambodia’s emerging cashew industry.
This high-level meeting coincides with a major business initiative organized by the Commerce Department of the Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh. The event, titled “B2B Interaction 2025: Agriculture and Processed Food Products”, brings together 26 Indian companies and Cambodian enterprises involved in beef, buffalo meat, rice, cashew nuts, and food processing.
The Cashew Nut Association of Cambodia (CAC) has sent ten member companies to participate in the B2B event. According to Silot Uon, a CAC chairman, the association is actively working to diversify export markets for raw cashew nuts (RCN), with a strategic focus on India and China — the two largest global consumers of cashew nuts.
“We aim to reduce dependence on a single market,” Silot stated. “While domestic processing is still developing, expanding to new markets will help stabilize prices for farmers and ensure sustainable growth.”
The strengthened Cambodia–India partnership is expected to drive investment, enhance agricultural trade, and open new markets for Cambodian products in the coming years.