2017年CRI Chinese textile manufacturers eye commercial opportunities in industrial zone in Cambodia

 

A Chinese textile manufacturer is being held up as an example of the long-term economic benefits being reaped in a special economic area in southern Cambodia.

Wentao, a Cambodian national, is one of a number of locals who works at a textile factory run by Hodo Group, a major Chinese investor¹ in the economic area.

He said that before he formally became an employee, Hodo provided him with two-years of training at an institution funded by the company, where he not only picked up work skills, but also the Chinese language.

"The development of the economic zone has provided very good job opportunities for us. My life has changed since I worked here. I found a better job after learning Chinese. I bought a car for my family," Wen said, noting that his 5-years as an employee of Hodo has changed his life.

The Hodo Group is a major investor in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, the biggest of its kind in Cambodia.

It's home to more than 100 foreign companies, 90-percent of which come from China.

Chinese firms in Sihanoukville currently employ around 16-thousand locals.

"In Cambodia, the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone has the fastest economic growth nationwide. We not only create jobs but also provide services for the local community. We help build schools in poor villages, which is welcomed by local residents. I believe only when they live a better life can the economic area generate long-term development," said Zhou Haijiang, director of Hodo Group.

To attract more investment, Cambodian authorities have established offices for various government departments on the site, including the customs bureau, the ministry² of commerce, and a provincial³ government office to provide more efficient government services.

"Setting up a factory at the economic zone is just as convenient as at the development zones in China. Cambodian officials have set up a one-stop service which helps save a lot of costs for enterprises by simplifying procedures," Zhou said, suggesting that Cambodian authorities are very accommodating.

The Cambodian government has a goal of having 300 factories operational at the Sihanoukville Industrial Zone by 2020, employing as many as 100-thousand people.

Cambodian officials continue to try to attract investors⁴ from China, especially in light manufacturing.

Factories currently operating in zone mostly produce textiles for the European Union and US markets.

1 investor   

n.投资者，投资人

参考例句：

• My nephew is a cautious investor.我侄子是个小心谨慎的投资者。
• The investor believes that his investment will pay off handsomely soon.这个投资者相信他的投资不久会有相当大的收益。

2 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

3 provincial   

adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人

参考例句：

• City dwellers think country folk have provincial attitudes.城里人以为乡下人思想迂腐。
• Two leading cadres came down from the provincial capital yesterday.昨天从省里下来了两位领导干部。

4 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会