The looming deadline next year for the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to become an integrated economy is beginning to have real effects.
Cambodia has about 500,000 small and medium-sized companies packaging and marketing food and beverages. But, according to its National Productivity Centre, only 30 have food certifications allowing them to export to other ASEAN countries when the economic union is complete. Companies are being urged to get the international food standard certification ISO 22000, but this can cost up to $60,000 if building changes or employee training is required.
