Press Release

CAMBODIA LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE PACKAGING CENTER TO BOOST FOOD INDUSTRY COMPETITIVENESS AND SUSTAINABILITY

12 December 2024

Phnom Penh, 08 December 2024 – The Cambodia Packaging Center (CPC) was officially launched at the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) on the sideline of the university's 60th-anniversary celebration, presided over by H.E. Savuth CHAN, Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. This new initiative is part of the Food Technology, Research, and Innovation Platform (FTRIP), established by the European Union (EU)-funded CAPFISH-Capture: Post-harvest Fisheries Development project.

This facility represents a significant step towards Cambodia's more sustainable and competitive food industry. By providing innovative and sustainable packaging solutions, the center aims to enhance food security, reduce waste, and position the country as a leader in sustainable food processing.

Innovative packaging is crucial for addressing key challenges faced by food processors, including food loss and waste and climate change issues. An official assessment of the packaging landscape within the agri-business and food sectors highlighted these challenges and the growing demand for practical solutions.

“The establishment of this center is a strategic response to these challenges, aiming to provide innovative solutions that will enhance the competitiveness of local businesses while promoting sustainability within the sectors," said Dr. Shetty Seetharama THOMBATHU, UNIDO Chief Technical Advisor for the CAPFISH-Capture project, which is jointly implemented by the Fisheries Administration (FiA) and UNIDO.

Key functions of the center include research and development, offering cutting-edge solutions tailored to local needs, and providing training and capacity building to equip food professionals with the skills necessary for effective, sustainable packaging practices.

Located at and administered by RUA, the center will serve not only as a hub for businesses but also as a platform for students and researchers to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. H.E. Prof. Dr. Bunthan NGO, Rector of RUA, emphasized, "It will not only support local enterprises but also foster educational opportunities for the university's students and researchers."

Additionally, the center will facilitate knowledge exchange by connecting with the EU and global food packaging experts and organizations, including the World Packaging Organization (WPO), enhancing overall expertise within Cambodia's food processing sector.

"The center is set to become a vital resource for the wider agriculture and food sectors, enabling competitiveness in local and global markets," added Dr. Shetty Seetharama THOMBATHU.

Ends –

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Samruol IM, National Communication and Visibility Expert for the CAPFISH-Capture project: S.IM@unido.org
Mr. Socheath TONG, Deputy Director of the Division of Research and Innovation, RUA, tsocheath@rua.edu.kh

More information about the project: https://open.unido.org/projects/KH/projects/180039

Project Newsletters: http://newslettercapfish-postharvest.org/achieve