A three-day fair showcasing the achievements of Cambodian businesswomen is being held in Phnom Penh, with around 100 booths displaying high-quality products from women-run manufacturing enterprises.

The March 29-31 event is organised by the Cambodian Women Entrepreneurs Association (CWEA) and doubles as its annual meeting, held to coincide with its 11th anniversary.

According to CWEA president Keo Mom, the fair features a number of events including product exhibitions, business networking forums, fashion shows, drum performance, screenings of films from Sastra Productions and banquet meals.

“The event is an excellent opportunity to showcase the achievements of Cambodian women entrepreneurs and to promote their high-quality products, many of them are already successful export items,” she said.

Mom called on the public to support the exhibition, saying that strengthening and expending women-owned businesses ultimately contributes to national economic growth.

The fair, held from 9am to 9pm each day, was opened by Ministry of Commerce secretary of state Cham Nimol. The opening was attended by numerous women entrepreneurs, along with representatives of several public and private institutions, as well as the ambassadors of many countries.

The CWEA’s 2023 annual meeting, presided over by Minister of Women’s Affairs Ing Kantha Phavi, was held to review its work results in 2022 and set plans for 2023.

“On the last day of the exhibition, we will hold a large gala dinner to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the association and the 112nd anniversary of International Women’s Day. Lay Navin, secretary of state at the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, will preside over the festivities,” said Mom.

Chen Sopheap, the founder and managing director of Keiy Tambanh Khmer (KTK) – an association of traditional Cambodian silk-based product manufacturers – said this year’s fair was the first that KTK had attended.