Worth your salt: Minister urges focus on export-quality goods
MINISTER of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation Hem Vanndy calls on the salt producers of Kep and Kampot provinces to enhance the quality of their products, reiterating that they need to meet international standards in order to stay competitive in international markets.
The remarks came as he inspected several salt marshes in Kampot and chaired a meeting with salt makers from the two provinces on January 19.
The Kampot-Kep salt was officially registered as Geographical Indication (GI) product on April 16, 2023.
During the January 19 meeting, Vanndy discussed measures that could be implemented to raise the quality of the final product.
He explained the government’s Pentagonal Strategy, highlighting that it prioritises the development of the Kingdom’s small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs), according to a January 20 press release from the ministry.
“One of the government’s priorities is the boosting of salt production. We are focused on improving quality, productivity and international competitiveness,” he said.
The minister encouraged the salt makers in the two provinces
– as well as fish sauce and pepper business owners – to collaborate closely with the ministry in support of improving quality standards.
“Salt is a strategic good. It is not only consumed on a daily basis, but can be processed into other products. The government’s Salt Development Strategy 2022-26 aims to help salt makers identify new, nontraditional markets, such as the use of salt water chlorination to treat water,” he added.
Vanndy noted that the ministry is currently introducing several public service reforms, which include adjustments
to the pricing, duration and validity of public services. In addition, it is establishing a national laboratory, state-administered facility which will offer professional services to the private sector.
Bun Narin, president of the GI Association of KampotKep Salt Producers, noted on January 21 that at present, the salt farmers of Kampot are harvesting about 70 per cent of the maximum amount.
“The minister’s recommendations will help us to compete in regional and global markets,” he said.
“He instructed us to focus on producing high-quality salt which will allow us to compete with neighbouring countries. Because we are all members of the free market, as well as the ASEAN bloc, we cannot introduce tariffs or prevent imports,” he added.
According to the ministry, the salt fields of Kampot and Kep covered 4,748ha in 2023, employing almost 1,500 people.
While salt production season runs between late December and mid-May every year, the hot weather can delay production till early July.
The farms yield up to 100,000 tonnes of salt per year.