USAID Celebrates The Official Launch of New Cold Chain Facility In Phnom Penh Autonomous Port

PHNOM PENH, January 24, 2024. The United States joined leaders from the Royal Government of Cambodia; the Governments of the United Kingdom, Australia, Switzerland, and Singapore; InfraCo Asia; and Khmer Cold Chain (KCC) to celebrate the official opening of KCC’s 6,046 cubic meter cold storage cross-docking facility in Phnom Penh Autonomous Port. 

This first-of-its-kind facility in Cambodia was made possible in part through a $2 million partnership between USAID and KCC, with U.S. $999,604 from USAID and $1,017,605 in co-investment from KCC. The cross-docking facility, which began operations on August 1, 2023, will offer crucial sanitary and phytosanitary services (SPS). Further, it addresses market system barriers to import-export opportunities for large companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, and agricultural cooperatives, with a focus on improving access for smallholder farmers and woman- and youth-owned businesses.

"USAID's co-investment with Khmer Cold Chain is an important step forward for Cambodia,” said Ms. Bridgette L. Walker, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh. “This facility will boost regional and international trade, prevent food spoilage, and provide economic benefits for businesses and consumers alike. The facility is the first of its kind in Cambodia and will provide valuable services to dozens of import and export customers, directly and indirectly benefiting thousands of Cambodian farmers and consumers." 

USAID supports KCC through its Feed the Future Market Systems and Partnerships (MSP) Activity, one of several USAID projects developing cold storage and logistics capacity for agricultural applications in Cambodia.