Eco-Farm Planned For Mondulkiri
Thursday, 26 June 2014; News by Khmer Times/Rosahlee Bautista
Investors
of Mondulkiri Multi-Million Eco Farm Project, Dr. Alain Cole, Dr. Jorge
Sukun Kuan and Mr. Wu Jinlong, during the grand opening of Guo Hong
(International) Investment and Development Co. Ltd Macau, in Himawari
Hotel,June 23,2014.
PHNOM
PENH, (Khmer Times) – In response to the call of the Cambodian
government and actively participating in implementing Mondulkiri’s
eco-strategy, Guo Hong Investment Co., Macau Ltd. , a Macau based
investment company is beginning the development of a multi-million
dollar ecological farm.
“We
hope to build a large eco-tourism farm by centralizing cleaning,
cultivation and development in a sustainable manner. We hope that
through our efforts, we can make the trees more lush, greening the
environment. Animals will have a more comfortable habitat and the
air will be fresher. We are here to help in the preservation of the
ecological forest,” said Dr. Alain Cole, CEO of Gou Hong (International)
Investment and Development Co. Ltd.
The
eco-farm is an investment project which is expecting a return of
investment in 20 years. It is said to have received strong support from
the people of Cambodia and China. “We believe that the project is huge
and will have a fruitful success with full support from both countries.
This will certainly contribute to Cambodia’s economy,” said Dr. Cole.
“So far, we have already invested about $110M, and expect to invest an additional $120M in the next five years,” he added.
The
sustainable development strategy of the company includes planting trees
on 50,000 ha and making bio-diesel fuel, and then replanting the same
trees afterward. This will help to protect the natural resources, the
local culture and heritage, buffer the effects of the changing climate,
and preserve the diversification of Cambodia’s abundant natural
resources and eliminate poverty.
The
stages of development will take about four to five years. Tourists are
still welcome to visit the eco-farm while it is in the stages of
clearing, plowing and cultivation.
The
holding company is a United Kingdom registered company which is wholly
owned by Dr. Jorge Sukun Kuan and Dr. Alain Cole, who are Portugese and
British citizens respectively. The company has interests in five
entities in Cambodia (Sino-Wealth Investment and Development Co. Ltd.,
Luso-Wealth Indochina Development Co. Ltd., Canton Development Indochina
Co. Ltd., Resource Global Indochina Co. Ltd., Five Elements Indochina,
Co. Ltd.), all dealing in agriculture and various hotel projects with a
total estimated investment of $200M.
The
Guo Hong Investment Co., is awaiting the permit for the construction
of a 480-room 5-star hotel which will be located outside Siem Reap. This
means employment for 850 workers.
Ms.
Yi Chheng, advisor to the Cambodia Ministry of Land Management, Urban
Planning and Construction said, “The Government of Cambodia is confident
that Gou Hong (International) Investment and Development Co. Ltd.
Macau, is committed to making Mondulkiri green and supplying the animals
there with shelter. The company’s investment in Cambodia also clearly
shows Chinese investors’ confidence in Cambodia’s political stability
and favorable climate for business.”
Gou
Hong (International) Investment Development Co. Ltd., is working hand
in hand with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to
protect the project area from animal traffickers and illegal loggers and
to make sure that they have the right species of trees to be planted.
The
group is also investing in plants for medicinal purposes, which are
intended for export. The climate is perfect in Mondulkiri to grow herbal
plants.
LOCAL VILLAGERS
Before
the project even started, some Chinese organizations were helping and
supporting the indigenous people with education. They already built some
schools and have schools will be built.
The
eco-farm project, when started, will ensure that it will be beneficial
for the local economy, as well as for people who live nearby. Some of
their projects are: building local schools; providing a clean, safe and
fresh water supply; growing rice; and providing local employment.
The
villagers, who live near the project area, will have an alternate
livelihood – eco-tourism – while also setting up schooling and training
opportunities to better their lives.
MONDULKIRI
The
development of eco-farms and eco-projects is an essential part of the
Cambodian government’s “Four-Year-Plan.” Mondulkiri is committed to
expand to become one of the world’s best eco-areas and has officially
begun the implementation of the four-year project.
From 2014 to 2018, the number of tourists to Mondulkiri is expected to increase from 100,000 to 300,000 per year.
Mondulkiri
is a perfect place to develop and entice tourists because it’s a gentle
mountainous province. It occupies a total area of 14,288 km2 and has a
population of 60,811, which includes 14 different indigenous people.
Twenty percent of the population consists of Khmer and eighty percent
are ethnic minorities.
Mondulkiri
province has an average elevation of 800 m. above sea level and a
different climate compared to other parts of Cambodia. The province is
enormously rich in various natural resources, which are yet to be fully
developed.
