The Phnom Penh-based facility is an initiative by InfraCo Asia, part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group. The Khmer Cold Chain facility is developed in partnership with Phnom Penh Autonomous Port with grant support from PIDG Technical Assistance and USAID.
InfraCo Asia, part of The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), celebrated the opening of the Khmer Cold Chain (KCC) cross-docking and cold storage facility today. The facility includes approx. 6000 cubic meters of temperature-controlled cold storage adjacent to the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port, and also provides cross-docking services that support the import and export of goods into and out of Cambodia, including agricultural products, fishery products, medical goods, and more.
The event was presided by H. E. Peng Ponea, Minister of Public Works and Transport for the Kingdom of Cambodia; and supported by key dignitaries including British Ambassador H. E. Dominic Williams; Australian Ambassador H. E. Justin Whyatt; US Charge d’Affaires Bridgette L. Walker; and Swiss Cooperation Office and Consular Agency’s Director of Cooperation Mr Markus Bürli.
The project commenced construction in March 2022 following a feasibility study commissioned by InfraCo Asia to address the gap in Cambodia’s cold storage capacity. The study, conducted by World Food Logistics Organization, noted that Cambodia needed an additional 140,000 cubic metres of cold storage capacity by 2030 to meet its supply chain demands.
The facility is the first privately owned, publicly accessible port-linked cold storage facility in Cambodia. It will improve and expand supply chain services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and approximately 15,000 to 30,000 smallholder farmers. Equipped with multiple temperature-controlled zones, the facility can store goods at temperatures ranging from -22°C to 25°C, and has a dedicated area for value-added services such as packaging, labelling, sanitary and phytosanitary services and customs clearance services.
InfraCo Asia CEO Claudine Lim said: “Cambodia has a significant gap in cold storage capacity, and the opening of the Khmer Cold Chain facility represents a milestone for the country and for PIDG. Our investment in this facility is a reflection of PIDG’s commitment to de-risking infrastructure development where most urgently needed in Asia. We are now exploring Phase 2 of this project and are excited to continue conversations with prospective investors.”
Khmer Cold Chain Director Sovathara Heng said: “Through PIDG’s support, the KCC facility has been developed in alignment with international standards. Our workforce is trained in logistics management and key aspects of health, safety, environmental and social best practices. These factors have been key in streamlining our operations and providing a world-class service to our customers. We have received positive feedback from our initial customers, and expect to be at full capacity in the following few months.”
Phase 2 of the project will focus on developing a distribution and storage facility in Phnom Penh with approximately 30,000 cubic meters of space. This facility is intended to facilitate last mile delivery, in tandem with the services offered by the current cross-docking and storage facility, to further augment the cold storage ecosystem in Cambodia.
Together, the two facilities are expected to provide about 36,000 cubic meters of cold storage space – filling more than 25% of Cambodia’s cold storage capacity gap The project supports SDG 2 ‘End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture’; SDG 5 ‘Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’ and SDG 9 ‘Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation’.
In the picture: His Excellency Peng Ponea, Minister for Public Works and Transport opens the Khmer Cold Chain Facility together with representatives of the UK, Australian, Swiss and US Embassies in Cambodia
