Kingdom to milk new industry

Construction on the Kingdom's first dedicated dairy cow farm and fresh milk production facility is set to begin this month, according to officials behind the joint venture.“This is the first time in history that our country will produce fresh cows’ milk,” said Srey Chanthou, managing director of 7NG Group.
 
“We hope it will be successful, and that we can expand our business further.”The US$2.5 million project will raise Holstein cows imported from New Zealand and Australia, and aims to produce 1.2 million litres in the first year of production.7NG Group has partnered with Sweden’s HPT Dairy Company for the venture, though officials declined to reveal what percentage each firm owns in the joint venture.

Srey Chanthou said there were a number of points in favour of producing milk in the Kingdom.“I see that no one in our country is producing fresh milk,” he said.“Secondly, the demand is increasing every day.“Third, we have a real investment partner with full experience and the technology to produce cow milk.That’s why we decided to invest.”

The plant will lie on 100 hectares in Kampong Speu province’s Phnom Sruoch district, next to the Kirirom national resort. It is scheduled to open in November 2011, he said.Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy general director Meng Saktheara said the ministry welcomed the project.“I think it will be very good for our country,” he said. “It is possible to raise milk cattle here, as we have lots of good areas for this.”

Source = phnompenhpost