Businesspeople are playing an important role in connecting East China's Zhejiang province and the Southeast Asian country Cambodia.

So far, more than 10,000 people from Zhejiang have chosen Cambodia, an important country involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as their business and investment destination, Zhejiang News has reported.

Zhejiang DunAn Holding Group recently signed a contract with the largest cement company in Cambodia to provide long-term supply of 500 metric tons a year of civil explosive chemicals.

Jadesada Sawamipak, manager of the company's technology department, said it chose DunAn because its advanced technologies will make up for deficiencies in Cambodia's civil explosive products.

DunAn's general manager Li Yi'an, said that over the past 10 years DunAn had invested nearly $10 million in business in Cambodia and the services it has provided for water conservancy, hydropower, road and bridge construction, and mining make up 60 percent of total market share in those sectors.

In addition, the company cooperates with the country's ministry of national defense to boost construction of BRI infrastructure.

Li said in the future DunAn will invest 500 million yuan ($74 million) to develop green energy in Cambodia, including building a photovoltaic power station. The project will not only bring new impetus to Cambodia's economy, but also be a driving force in DunAn's sustainable development, according to Li.

Ningbo's Seduno Group, a transnational enterprise specializing in garments, set up a factory in Cambodia 20 years ago. The Cambodian branch attaches great importance to cultural exchanges with local employees.

Every month, the factory organizes a tug-of-war competition for workers, and regular Chinese language training courses are available for Cambodian employees to help them learn more about Chinese culture.

Shen Qiming, general manager of Seduno Group, hopes the factory could become a big family where people get along with each other in harmony.

A Zhejiang chamber of commerce in Cambodia was established in 2012, involving 167 companies from industries like textiles, mining, engineering construction and trade. The organization boosts mutual development in economy, technology and culture, according to Shi Yongping, chairman of the chamber.

In 2016, trade volume between China and Cambodia exceeded $5 billion, with Zhejiang enterprises contributing more than 30 percent.

Shi said he and the chamber members will give full play to the advantages of Zhejiang companies to further promote exchanges and cooperation between the province and Cambodia.

The Cambodian factory of Seduno Group has more than 2,000 employees. [Photo/Ningbo Daily]