The Angkor Handicraft Fair opened yesterday and will run until Monday, January 13 at the Royal Gardens alongside the Siem Reap River, with 70 exhibitors from all over Cambodia displaying their wares.

Men Sinouen, director of the Artisans’ Association of Cambodia told Siem Reap Insider that the objective of the fair is to promote Cambodian skills and unique “savoir faire” in handicraft and art.

He said, “The fair will allow our audience to discover many kinds of Cambodian handicraft and art.”

Handmade products featured at the fair are from Pailin, Battambang, Takeo, Poipet, Kampong Thom, Svay Rieng, Kandal, Kampong Chhnang and Siem Reap.

Men Sinouen said, “All the products shown in the fair are manufactured from silk, lotus flower thread, bamboo, water hyacinth, and ceramics. We forbid selling imported products here to promote the local product, and it will be a good experience for all exhibitors to understand what the demands of the customers are.”

He added that all exhibitors have already committed to fair-trade principles, and good social and environmental practices.

He said the fair expects to attract more than 15,000 visitors all up, with daily figures of around 3,000 visitors per day.

“It’s very important for us to have a large audience to give huge exposure for the exhibitors and make the fair sustainable,” he said, adding that the occasion is already acknowledged as the biggest handicraft fair in Cambodia, he said.

He also said that this year’s fair has many new and exciting aspects to it. “We have introduced several innovations to make it stronger, sustainable, more attractive, convivial and enthusiastic for the guests, ensuring a high level handicraft and art exposure.”