Cambodia aims to shift from raw material exporter to producer of semi-finished and finished goods, says PM
Cambodia aims to shift from raw material exporter to producer of semi-finished and finished goods, says PM
Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his intention to transform Cambodia into a country that exports raw materials and has the capacity to produce semi-finished and finished products to supply domestic and export markets, thereby enhancing people’s livelihoods.
He made this statement on Thursday (May. 2) during an inauguration of the Toyota assembly plant in the Royal Group Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone.
The premier underscored, “We’re not merely generating jobs; we’re enhancing the productivity and capabilities of our workforce. We’re shifting from manual labor-dependent agriculture to mechanized or agro-industrial practices.
Our diversification spans manufacturing, tourism, and light industry, paving the way for potential expansion into heavy production as resources permit.”
“This strategy ensures sustainability and elevates the living standards of our people. We are no longer solely reliant on exporting raw materials; instead, we can produce semi-finished and finished goods for export, ensuring greater value distribution within Cambodia. We are not merely exporters of raw materials; we also can produce and supply our domestic market,” the premier added.
On the occasion, Premier Hun Manet underlined that achieving this goal requires training Cambodian human resources. He encouraged Toyota to expand its vision by establishing a training centre and offering opportunities for young Cambodians to undergo training or internships at the factory in the short and medium term, enhancing human resources in the automotive industry.
This initiative is being pursued in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, which provides skills training for young people. The premier continued that offering practical learning experiences in a factory equipped with modern machinery is crucial as certain skills cannot be acquired solely through theoretical study.
Dr. Hun Manet further added that as Cambodia’s human resources become more specialised in the machinery industry in terms of both quantity and quality, it will become increasingly feasible to attract other companies to invest in Cambodia.
