SCCCs Cambodian move

Siam City Cement Plc (SCCC) last week signed an agreement with its Cambodian partner to establish cement dispatching and packaging facilities, making it among the first local companies returning to Cambodia after violent anti-Thai riots rocked Phnom Penh a year ago.  Managing director Vincent Bichet said a SCCC subsidiary, Eagle Cement Holding Co, had teamed up with Khmer Cement Trading Ltd (KCT), a Cambodian company, to build and operate a facility in Cambodia for receiving, packaging and distributing cement products throughout the country.  The signing ceremony was held on January 27 at Le Royal Hotel in Phnom Penh. SCCC is controlled by Holcim of Switzerland and the Ratanarak family, which owns Bank of Ayudhaya.

The Cambodian facilities will help SCCC improve its overall market competitiveness when they go into operation by yearend, senior vice president Chantana Sukumanont said. Until the facility is completed, it will ensure a steady supply of bagged cement to Cambodia.  SCCC has been looking to bolster its regional presence after it recently became clear it could not take over TPI Polene, but it declined to say how much it would invest in its Cambodian venture.