Cambodia Hosts First National Forum to Boost Handicrafts and Souvenirs

Cambodia’s First National Forum on “Promoting Cambodian Tourism Handicrafts and Souvenir Products for Domestic and International Tourists” kicked off on Thursday, highlighting efforts to promote locally made tourism products and souvenirs among domestic and international tourists. The forum was held on July 30 at the Sokha Siem Reap Hotel and chaired by H.E. Mrs Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce, alongside H.E. Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism, and H.E. Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation. The event was also attended by leaders of relevant ministries and institutions, the Governor of Siem Reap province, private sector representatives, artisans, producers and other stakeholders. H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul highlighted the close collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and Siem Reap Provincial Administration in promoting Cambodian tourism products and souvenirs. She emphasised that Cambodian tourism products and souvenirs are not merely souvenirs, but also expressions of national identity, culture, tradition and heritage. They have strong potential to create added value, promote the creative economy, increase incomes for local people and expand export markets, she added. The minister also highlighted key initiatives by the Ministry of Commerce to promote Cambodian products, including modernising public services, protecting consumers, promoting intellectual property commercialisation, creating certification marks for products with potential, and implementing the #MadeInCambodia and #MadeByHer campaigns. By Sum Kosal