Chopsticks just the beginning, as Cambodia eyes Japan

Monday, September 21, 2009
Kyodo

Cambodia plans to export chopsticks to Japan early next year to meet the demands of Japanese markets.

Chan Sophal, president of Green Field Cambodia, says he's signed an agreement with a Japanese company to produce and export chopsticks.

Mr Sophal says the factory in Kompong Speu province, about 120 kilometres west of the capital Phnom Penh, will produce 100,000 pairs of chopsticks a day.

Cambodia's Commerce Ministry says the government is reviewing other export possibilities to Japan.

San Phiruna, director of multilateral relations department of the Commerce Ministry, says the Japanese market will be Cambodia's ''next destination'' because Japan has given Cambodia duty-free and quota-free export status.

More chopsticks for Japan ... and more deforestation for Cambodia? Arigato, but NO arigato! (i.e., Thanks, but NO thanks!)

Cambodia firm to export chopsticks

Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009

PHNOM PENH (Kyodo) - Green Field Cambodia Co. plans to export chopsticks to Japan early next year to meet rising demand in the Japanese market, a company representative said Friday.

Chan Sophal, president of the company, said he signed an agreement Tuesday with Hashiya Co. of Japan to export chopsticks to Japan beginning early next year.

Sophal said a five-hectare factory in Kompong Speu Province, about 120 km west of Phnom Penh, will produce the chopsticks.

The plant will turn out as much as 100,000 pairs of wooden chopsticks a day. They are produced from bamboo, rubber trees, palm trees and acacias. The products will be exported by Hashiya.

San Phiruna, director of multilateral relations department of the Commerce Ministry, said Cambodia is reviewing other possible Cambodian exports to Japan.

The Japanese market will be Cambodia's "next destination" because Japan has given Cambodia duty-free and quota-free export status, he said.