AKP Phnom Penh, January 28, 2026 --

The head of Cambodia’s state-owned Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (ARDB) has called on American poultry giant Maple Leaf Farms to accelerate its planned investment in a comprehensive "White Pekin" duck production chain to serve both domestic and regional markets.

H.E. Dr. Kao Thach, Royal Government Delegate in charge as Director General of ARDB, met with representatives of Maple Leaf Farms on Tuesday to discuss the project’s timeline. The meeting was facilitated by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Cambodia.

During the talks, Maple Leaf Farms reaffirmed its commitment to establishing a full-scale integrated production facility in the Kingdom. The proposed investment is expected to cover the entire value chain, including breeding, high-standard farming, processing, and distribution.

Dr. Kao Thach welcomed the initiative, urging the firm to finalise its feasibility studies and break ground as soon as possible. He emphasised that the project aligns with Cambodia’s broader economic goals.

"This investment will not only meet the rising demand for high-quality duck meat locally and across the region, but will also play a crucial role in driving Cambodia's economic growth by creating jobs and strengthening the agro-industrial sector," Dr. Thach said.

By K. Rithy Reak