Stevia Nutra Signs Strategic Agreement with Cambodian Agro-Development Company

The Company believes that this unique association with Ecologica will permit it to rapidly and effectively accelerate operations on the ground and avoid unnecessary cost consuming overhead.

16 Jul 2012 --- Stevia Nutra Corporation, an Agro-Management company focused on stevia agronomics, announced that it has entered into a “Services Provision Agreement” with Ecologica Co. Ltd, a local Cambodian agro-development company.

Ecologica’s extensive experience in developing and operating agro-forestry plantations and projects makes it an ideal local partner for the Company. In addition, Mr. David Foo, Ecologica’s Chief Operating Officer has joined Stevia Nutra as VP Operations – Southeast Asia.

“Given Ecologica’s extensive agro-forestry experience, their senior management understands the challenges agro-developers face when embarking on a new cultivation operation in Cambodia,” says Company President, Brian Dicks.  “As our local partner, they will provide valuable support to ensure effective and efficient deployment of the Company’s financial and human resources as the project advances.”

The scope of the agreement includes Ecologica being responsible for providing local management, logistical expertise and administrative support for a range of core functions which include:

- Staffing of senior managers, plantation managers and supervisors, and agro-laborers
- Administration, payroll and accounting services
- Procurement, contractor/contract management and control
- Local, regional and national government relations and liaison as required with specific jurisdictions, departments and ministries including agro-research stations and institutes

Ecologica’s broad network is also expected to provide the Company with the opportunity to forge relationships with its sister companies that operate in the fields of environmental assessments, engineering services, shipping and logistics services for import-export requirements, infrastructure project development and management and local transportation services. The Company believes that this unique association with Ecologica will permit it to rapidly and effectively accelerate operations on the ground and avoid unnecessary cost consuming overhead.

“Ecologica is excited to be joining Stevia Nutra’s team as we develop Cambodia’s first commercial stevia propagation and cultivation operation,” says David Foo, the Company’s VP of Operations and Ecologica’s COO.  “Our collective knowledge and experience is the key to our success.  Cambodia has the perfect combination of land, climate and focus on the agri-business sector to successfully develop and expand stevia plantations.”