By:
• Teng Yalirozy

• September 13, 2024 , 8:00 PM

PHNOM PENH – Cambodia expects an increase in trade with Indonesia as more Indonesian businesses seek markets through the rebranded Sousdey Indonesia exhibition attracting 100 booths, up 60 from last year.

As 2024 marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh rebranded the Indonesian Trade and Tourism Promotion, held 14 times since 2016, to Sousdey Indonesia.

Indonesian Ambassador Santo Darmosumarto said Sousdey Indonesia is this year’s largest exhibition.

The event shows Indonesian-based companies, MSMEs, and Cambodian importers of Indonesian products from various industries, representing food and beverage, fashion and handicrafts, automotive, furniture and houseware, pharmaceutical, logistics, and education.

“This year’s theme, Let’s Explore and Enjoy, emphasizes Sousdey Indonesia’s attraction beyond a trade show,” he said.

“Attendees can experience a variety of activities, including tourism promotion, cultural performances, games and competitions, and culinary festivals.”

Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul said Cambodia and Indonesia already have robust cooperation, believing that this year’s event could be a platform to explore the market potential and opportunities to collaborate.
 

Indonesia has become Cambodia's sixth-largest trading partner. Trade in the first half of 2024 amounted to $580 million, making it possible this year to surpass last year’s total of around $1.1 billion. This was up 15 percent on 2022.

“I have full confidence that 2024’s number will be even more central, having seen creative initiatives like ‘Sousdey Indonesia’ as well as cooperation between our government and trade activities,” she said.

Made Sutamaya, owner of eco-friendly company Kioski Bali which designs items from beach wood waste, came to seek a market in Cambodia in addition to Vietnam.

Since 2003, Kioski Bali has been a family business, selling their products mainly outside Indonesia.

“I would like to get a buyer from Cambodia. We have had one from the country,” he said.

“Mostly, I sent these items to Europe, Australia and Vietnam. It’s our first time in Cambodia to show our products. We discuss with our family to come here to show the Cambodian people our products.”

Asked what made his products special to Cambodian buyers, Sutamaya said he had a wide range of items using beach wood waste as the main raw material.

The company recycles waste wood into high-quality products through innovative, eco-friendly production processes, creating aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly products.
 

Nafisah Abdat, founder of the hand-made clothing Batik Fief, saw the exhibition announcement on the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh, catching her interest and making her fly to the country for five days.

“Batik is special and not everyone can make it,” she said. “I think this unique makes the fabric special to Cambodian buyers.”

Batik is a dyeing technique that uses wax resistance to create patterned textiles by drawing or stamping wax on a cloth to prevent color absorption.

It is usually made on a fabric surface, such as cotton, silk, linen, rayon or hemp, but batik techniques can also be used on paper, wood, leather and even a ceramic surface.

This year’s event is taking place on Sept. 13 and 14 at the Diamond Island Exhibition and Convention Center in Phnom Penh