Buy Local Products: Support the Economy and Preserve Traditions
The 16th Cambodian and Import-Export Goods Exhibition held from Dec. 15 to Dec. 18 at the Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Center (Koh Pich). Photo: Nhek Sreyleak
- By Nhek Sreyleak
- December 18, 2023 4:10 PM
PHNOM PENH – Supporting locally made and processed products helps support the Cambodian economy and preserves Khmer traditions and techniques.
“We should use Khmer-made altogether. It is patriotism,” said Suong Noy, secretary-general of the National Committee for the Promotion of One Village, One Product (OVOP), a concept that aims to revitalize the local economy by organizing regular fairs promoting community-made products.
Noy made the statement during the 16th Cambodian and Import-Export Goods Exhibition held from Dec. 15 to Dec. 18 at the Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Center (Koh Pich).
He said quality, design and packaging, safety, and price are important for customers.
“So far, we have seen strong support from leaders and citizens, which inspire producers to produce more,” Noy added.
However, a proper marketplace for such products is still lacking in Cambodia, with producers complaining about the challenges of selling their products and buyers having a hard time finding them.
“This has led to contradictory ideas between producers and consumers. Therefore, this exhibition could bring together producers and consumers to learn from each other’s needs and negotiate the price,” Noy added.
Although there are still some complaints about the price of local products, Noy argued that Khmer products are made from natural ingredients, so consumers can go and observe how the raw materials are used for production.
Noy encourages people to support local products so that citizens do not feel any regret later when the know-how tends to vanish.
Noy said promoting the One Village, One Product movement in today’s market is difficult. Once the challenges faced in producing and selling such products will have been addressed, the question of a standardized high-end quality will be raised.
“We rate locally-made products from 1 to 5 stars, based on their qualities. Export is no longer a big concern for producers if they produce high-standard products,” Noy said.
One Village One Product Concept was implemented in 2005 and its National Committee in 2006 to promote the development of the production chain for goods or services in the communities, including the production, processing, packaging and development of one or more products creating added value that looking for the access and satisfaction to the needs of domestic and international markets.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Rin Ousa for Cambodianess.
