Local silk industry seeks Chinese support
More than 20 local silk companies and producers are seeking the support of Chinese silk experts, in the form of joint ventures, to help them raise silkworms and cultivate mulberry trees. The companies made this call at a business matching event with representatives from the International Silk Union which seeks to promote communication and cooperation of the silk industry among countries. Pav Eang Khoing, silk production director of Artisans Angkor, said that there were challenges in raising silkworms and growing mulberry trees in Cambodia. Commercial silks originate from reared silkworm pupae, which are bred to produce a white-colored silk thread. “Cambodian silkworms can only yield 300 to 400 metres of raw silk during their lifespan, whereas Chinese silkworms are capable of producing silk threads spanning 700 to 800 metres long,” said Mr. Khoing.
