Free Booths to Showcase Khmer-Made Products at Gas Stations
Khmer-made products have been put on sale in some of Cambodia’s PTT gas stations since the beginning of September. Photo: Ministry of Commerce
- By Meng Seavmey
- September 5, 2023 5:17 PM
PHNOM PENH – Khmer-made products have been put on sale in some of Cambodia’s PTT gas stations since the beginning of September. The initiative, which goes by the name “The Farmer Market,” will run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from September onwards.
The products showcased by local farmers include vegetables, seasonal fruits, meat, fish, Khmer-made and processed products, snacks, desserts, and souvenirs, the Commerce Ministry said in a statement released on Sept. 4.
The program aims to promote domestic products and support local communities and farmers by offering them a new sales outlet, in places that become very busy on weekends.
The Farmer Market has been made possible through cooperation between the Commerce Ministry and the PTT Public Company Limited.
The market will take place at 12 PTT Gas Stations in 11 capital-provinces, including Phnom Penh, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Pursat, Kampong Chhnang, Banteay Meanchey, Svay Rieng, Prey Veng, Kratie, Stung Treng, and Preah Sihanouk provinces.
Hong Vannak, an economist researcher at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told Cambodianess on Sept. 5 that the program is a practical initiative, and does not only exist on paper.
“Although it is retail, the program shall provide opportunities for exports, and more jobs and markets for local people, especially in the agriculture sector,” the economist said.
“It will also be a contribution to the tourism sector in the future.”
Vannak suggested that the locations of the program should be promoted, especially on social media, so that people know where they can buy local products while they fill up their tank when they travel for the weekend.
To encourage the consumption of Khmer products, more locations are needed, the economist said.
“It must be ensured that those are Khmer-made products. The quality and hygiene of the products must be good, and the price must be competitive and acceptable,” he said.
He added that, when stopping at the gas station, consumers usually “run for imported products” if they are more affordable than local ones.
Such an initiative already came to light for a few months in 2022, in some of Cambodia’s PTT gas stations.
As last year, people interested in selling local products can apply to secure a free booth in one of the gas stations part of the program, Commerce Ministry’s Spokesperson Penn Sovicheat said on Sept. 5.
People only need to fill out the application form for the booth, he said.
Sales will be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday because these are the days when people travel the most, and PTT gas stations are usually crowded as they already have their own café and food booths, he added.
The Commerce Ministry will further negotiate with the Thai company to install more booths in other locations as well, especially along busy roads and crowded areas.
