S Reap promotes ‘One Village, One Product’
SEVERAL organisations in Siem Reap province have committed to promoting the successful implementation of the “One Village, One Product” (OVOP) movement, in order to contribute to improving the livelihoods and quality of life of people in the community.
The agreement was made during a 20 the producer and buyer matching forum and consultation at the Siem Reap Provincial Hall. It was attended by representatives from the provincial administration, the OVOP National Committee and several relevant organisations, according to a February 20 social media post by the administration.
Deputy provincial governor Yun Linne explained that the forum was organised with the aim of developing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and improving market access for local producers, as part of a collaboration between the OVOP committee and a community fisheries project. Ultimately, their intention is to facilitate a rotating economy in the western Tonle Sap Lake in Siem Reap.
“The purpose of the forum is to promote successful implementation of the OVOP movement and contribute to the government’s Pentagonal Strategy and its National Development
Strategic Plan,” he said.
To that end, he said the provincial administration, as well as the OVOP committee, are committed to cooperating with town-district administrations to enrol more local producers into the movement.
“Various institutions will also strive
to develop the movement’s human resources at the provincial level, in order to gain knowledge which will contribute to reducing poverty and migration, while improving the living standards and quality of life of people in the community,” he continued.
Suong Noy, secretary-general of the
OVOP committee, shared how in 2021 the movement had added 120 products from 10 provinces, while in 2022, 600 products were included, from across the Kingdom’s 25 capital and provinces. Siem Reap alone has contributed 42 products.
He explained that in order to promote the movement, the committee has revised the movement’s 2016-26 national policy, as well as its 2019-23 national strategic plan.
Hong Vanak, an economist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, supported the stakeholder commitment, as well as the establishment of a forum which matches producers, sellers and buyers.
He hopes it will expand the market potential of Cambodian products, while attracting more tourists to the communities that produce the products.
“I believe this will be an excellent opportunity to connect with actors from all walks of life and solve some market challenges, by moving towards increasing exports. This, in turn, will contribute to the economic growth of the producers themselves, as well as their families and communities,” he said.
He urged all stakeholders to create similar forums, while also suggesting that they seek out more export markets.