Cambodia and France are advancing a feasibility study to develop an international agri-food and fresh-produce wholesale market in Phnom Penh, with the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) pledging full support to move the project towards implementation.
On August 12, 2026, H.E. Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice Chairman of the CDC, received a courtesy call and held a working discussion with a delegation from SEMMARIS (Société d'Économie Mixte d'Aménagement et de gestion du marché d'intérêt national de Rungis) of France, led by Mr. Thierry Febvay, Director for Development.
The meeting took place as SEMMARIS continues its mission in Cambodia from August 6 to 21 to coordinate and advance the feasibility study, which covers the technical, commercial and operational aspects of the proposed international agri-food and fresh produce wholesale market in Phnom Penh.
The initiative follows a strategic partnership between SEMMARIS and WorldBridge Group, established through an agreement signed on July 10, 2026.
During the meeting, Febvay briefed H.E. Sun Chanthol on SEMMARIS’s expertise and experience in managing and operating the Marché International de Rungis in Paris, France, one of the world’s largest wholesale fresh food markets.
He said the company intends to bring its technical expertise, operational model and international management standards to contribute to the development of Cambodia’s agro-logistics system.
The SEMMARIS representative also presented an update on the feasibility study and sought guidance, policy support, procedural coordination and cooperation with relevant ministries and institutions to provide a strong foundation for developing an effective strategy for the project.
In response, H.E. Sun Chanthol welcomed the delegation and expressed his appreciation for SEMMARIS and its partner’s commitment to the initiative.
He highlighted that the Royal Government of Cambodia, under the leadership of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister, continues to attach high priority to modernising the agricultural sector, strengthening supply chains and promoting agro-processing to add value to produce harvested by local farmers.
H.E. Sun Chanthol affirmed the CDC’s readiness to provide full facilitation and support throughout the feasibility study process to help turn the project into a concrete outcome.
The meeting concluded with both sides demonstrating a shared commitment to maintaining close cooperation across all aspects of the proposed project.
According to the CDC, the proposed international agri-food and fresh produce wholesale market is considered a high-potential strategic initiative that could help modernise Cambodia’s agro-logistics system and strengthen food supply chains.
It is also expected to contribute to adding value to local agricultural products, securing markets and income for farmers, enhancing food security and supporting the expansion of Cambodian agricultural exports to regional and global markets in the future.
