Siem Reap hosts ‘major’ Khmer products exhibit
Van Socheata
IN collaboration with the Siem Reap provincial administration, the Ministry of Commerce hosted the 17th Khmer product and vegetable exhibition and the Cambodian silk and weaving campaign in Siem Reap town from February 22 to 25, aimed at promoting domestic products.
Commerce ministry secretary of state Mao Thora emphasised the significance of the initiative in implementing the ministry’s commercial development policy.
He noted the increasing market presence of Khmer products, both domestically, including in airports, and internationally and highlighted the quality, safety and cleanliness of these products, which fosters consumer trust.
“The … silk and weaving campaign was a wake-up call for Cambodian people to increasingly support and use domestic products, particularly Khmer silk, instead of foreign imports,” Thora stated.
“The initiative has significantly strengthened the domestic production chain. Cambodian producers have gained knowledge and knowhow, acquiring valuable experience in enhancing and expanding production and developing products and their services to better serve the market,” he added.
Thora noted the vital role of the commercial sector in stimulating the social economy. He noted that commercial development remains a key focus for the government, in line with the free market economy approach and the first phase of the Pentagonal Strategy.
“The government has identified silk as one of the ten main products crucial for the country’s economic development. There is a strong emphasis on preserving cultural traditions, alleviating poverty and promoting the Cambodian silk sector internationally,” Thora added.
According to the ministry, the 2024 Khmer vegetable and product exhibition brought together traders, producers, suppliers, processors, farm owners, organisations, business associations and communities involved in Khmer vegetables and fruits.
Participants from Siem Reap and 15 other provinces, as well as Phnom Penh, displayed their products to seek trading partners and opportunities.
The event featured 125 booths from over 113 companies and enterprises, showcasing a variety of items including fresh vegetables, jams, dried fruits, cereals, milled rice, cashews, pepper, cassava, processed foods, souvenirs and silk products, as per the ministry.