Khmer Enterprise (KE) and the National University of Battambang (NUBB) have recently formed a partnership and signed a memorandum of understanding. This collaboration aims to support local initiatives and promote entrepreneurship among university students, primarily in the food processing industry. As part of this initiative, the Agri-Food Challenge 2023 was officially launched at the National University of Battambang on July 26th, 2023.
The event was attended by various stakeholders, including H.E. Dr. Chhieng Vanmunin, the CEO of Khmer Enterprise, and H.E. Sok Khorn, the Rector of the National University of Battambang. Also present were 62 students, technical mentors and instructors, as well as representatives from relevant institutions at the provincial level.
The Agri-Food Challenge offers participating students a unique opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial skills. It involves a four-week pre-incubation training program on entrepreneurship, followed by product prototyping and exposure trips. The students will then compete in semi-final and final rounds with their innovative agri-food ideas. This program aims to foster the growth of potential startups within the food processing sector.
The agri-food industry plays a crucial role in Cambodia’s economic development by creating new products for local and overseas markets. With the increasing demand for ready-to-eat food products, changing lifestyles, and the rise of nuclear families and working women, there are significant opportunities for processed food enterprises in the country.
H.E Dr. Chhieng Vanmunin, CEO of Khmer Enterprise, emphasized the importance of this event as a local initiative to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the food processing industry. The aim is to generate new agri-food startups and meet the needs of the agri-food industry in Battambang.
H.E. Sok Khorn, Rector of the National University of Battambang, highlighted that the Agri-Food Challenge 2023 is organized by the university and funded by Khmer Enterprise. The competition aims to encourage students to innovate in food product development and entrepreneurship. It serves as a crucial component in fostering innovation and increasing the number of potential startups.
On the occasion, Mr. Chea Sunsatya, the Head of Entrepreneurship Development at Khmer Enterprise, enthusiastically expressed, “The remarkable encouragement from Khmer Enterprise towards fostering entrepreneurial skills within the agri-food sector is perfectly timed with the flourishing growth of food processing and agriculture. It truly reflects a shared vision between Khmer Enterprise and the National University of Battambang.”
“This collaborative support initiative significantly contributes to the expansion of the agro-industrial sector, which holds immense potential within Battambang province itself. The ultimate aim is to propel our national economy towards the visionary goal of attaining a High Middle-Income Country status by the year 2030 and eventually transforming into a High-Income Country by 2050, as envisioned by the Royal Government of Cambodia.”
Khmer Enterprise is an organization established under the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Its mission is to support the development of a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cambodia. The organization mobilizes resources and provides financial and non-financial support to entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs, and partner institutions involved in promoting entrepreneurial activities and driving innovation in the country’s economy.
The National University of Battambang (NUBB) is the largest public university in the northwest of Cambodia. It aims to provide access to higher education services and bridge the knowledge gap between rural and urban areas. NUBB has several faculties and institutes, including Business Administration and Tourism, Agriculture and Food Processing, Sociology and Community Development, Arts, Humanities, and Education, Science and Technology, and Institute of Foreign Languages.
The partnership between Khmer Enterprise and the National University of Battambang and the launch of the Agri-Food Challenge 2023 demonstrate a commitment to supporting local initiatives and fostering entrepreneurship in Cambodia. This collaboration will contribute to the growth of the agri-food industry and the development of innovative startups in the country.
