The Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday called on local producers to display their products at the upcoming Home-Made Product Exhibition to be held from March 5-8 in an effort to promote the Kingdom’s products among consumers and slashing imports.
The exhibition will be held in the northwest province of Mondulkiri under the theme “Buy Cambodia’s Home Made Product 2020”, the ministry said in an announcement.
A ministry official spoke to The Post on Tuesday under the condition of anonymity, saying he was not authorised to talk to the media.
“The exhibition is an effort to boost home-made product recognition, to be broadly consumed nationwide.
“We want to encourage the people to maximise their support and consumption of home-made products as the Ministry of Commerce strives to collect high-quality and hygienic products with proper packaging for consumers.
“All the products that comply with production standards will be displayed and [and their producers’ will] seek partners at the expo,” said the source, adding that the exhibition was initially held in 2014.
Federation of Associations for Small and Medium Enterprises of Cambodia president Te Taingpor welcomed the event, saying several of his federation’s members have displayed many products at the annual event over the years.
“I always encourage members to participate in the exhibition because we also want to showcase what our local producers have been producing so that our people use it.
“At the same time, we also want to curb the large volume of product imports because now our home-made products are also of very good quality and comply with standards and are safe to consume,” said Taingpor.
The ministry official said more than 100 booths will be on display at the exhibition.
Speaking at the opening of the 14th Cambodian Import-Export Goods Exhibition 2019 in mid-December, Prime Minister Hun Sen called on locals to produce higher quality products and enhance their market competitiveness.
Doing so, he said, would boost exports and promote economic stability.
“We are exploring export opportunities with 142 member countries of the World Trade Organisation and looking to import products from 135 nations to meet local demand.
“Vibrant trade has helped meet local demand and pushed the volume of international trade past the $30 billion mark this year,” the prime minister said.
A ministry report said Cambodia’s goods exports to international markets reached $10.8 billion in the first 10 months of last year, up 6.45 per cent year-on-year from $10.14 billion.
