Phnom Penh, Cambodia — French investment firm SEMMARIS is currently undertaking a comprehensive feasibility study for the development of an international wholesale market dedicated to agricultural products and fresh food in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. This strategic initiative, aiming to modernize and streamline the country’s agro-logistics sector, stems from a cooperation agreement signed in July between SEMMARIS and WorldBridge Group.
A delegation from SEMMARIS, led by Mr. Thierry Febvay, the company’s Head of Development, has been in Cambodia since August 6, with their mission concluding on August 21. A key part of their visit included a significant meeting on August 12 with Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, who serves as the First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC).
The primary objective of this high-level meeting was to facilitate and accelerate the ongoing feasibility study, meticulously examining all technical, commercial, and operational aspects of the proposed international market. During the discussions, Mr. Febvay shared SEMMARIS’s extensive experience and exemplary operational prowess, particularly highlighting their management of the Marché International de Rungis in Paris, France—renowned as one of the world’s largest wholesale fresh food markets.
SEMMARIS has expressed a strong commitment to transferring its specialized technical expertise, along with international standard organizational and management models, to contribute to the advancement of Cambodia’s agro-logistics system. Mr. Febvay provided an update on the progress of the feasibility study and sought guidance, support, procedural facilitation, and collaborative engagement from relevant Cambodian ministries and institutions. This support is deemed crucial for laying a robust foundation to develop an effective strategic plan for the project.
In response, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol lauded the commitment shown by SEMMARIS and its partners. He reiterated the Cambodian government’s firm priority on modernizing the agricultural sector, strengthening supply chains, and boosting the agro-processing and food industries. These efforts are aimed at adding significant value to farmers’ produce.
Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol assured the French investor that the CDC stands ready to provide full facilitation and unwavering support for the feasibility study, with the ultimate goal of transforming this ambitious project into a tangible reality. The CDC views the establishment of this international wholesale market for agricultural and fresh food products as a strategic project endowed with immense potential and numerous benefits. It is expected not only to modernize Cambodia’s agro-logistics infrastructure and reinforce its food supply chains but also to serve as a vital catalyst for creating added value for local agricultural products. Furthermore, the market is projected to secure reliable markets and generate income for farmers, enhance national food security, and significantly boost the export of Cambodian agricultural products to regional and global markets in the future.
This investment initiative is part of a broader strengthening of economic ties between France and Cambodia. Earlier in July, Mr. Nicolas Forissier, the French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Investment, also visited Cambodia on July 9-10. During his two-day visit, Mr. Forissier met with several high-ranking Cambodian officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Aun Pornmonirath (Minister of Economy and Finance), Ms. Cham Nimul (Minister of Commerce), and Mr. Keo Rottanak (Minister of Mines and Energy), along with the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Health and various investment partners. His visit underscored France’s intent to reinforce economic relations and increase French investment in Cambodia. Currently, over 400 small and large French companies operate and invest in Cambodia, with a total capital estimated at approximately USD 600 million, across diverse sectors such as aviation, clean energy, healthcare, construction, agro-industry, and services.
