A Cambodian trade fair is set to bring more opportunities for local products to access the international market, as well as serving as a platform to attract more foreign investors to Cambodia, says the Ministry of Commerce.

The 13th four-day Cambodia Import-Export and One Province One Product Exhibition is aimed at promoting local products, and import and export opportunities.

The event was launched on Saturday at Koh Pich, with a total of 272 display booths and participants from local enterprises, companies and provincial commerce departments.

Participants from Thailand, China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the US, Laos and Myanmar were also present.

‘More opportunities’

Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak said the annual trade exhibition is aimed at promoting trade, investment, and especially exports to the international market, which contribute to Cambodian economic development.

“The trade fair will create more opportunities and impact local trading activities in the provinces, as well as help to establish links between Cambodian and foreign traders,” said the minister.

Minister for Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth said at the exhibition’s opening that the country is regarded as the heart of Asean countries for potential investment.

“Cambodia is the location of the Asean heart, an open space for commerce that welcomes all investors. The private sector is the head of the economic growth promoting machine,” Aun Pornmoniroth said.

The minister said the government is trying to reduce logistics costs by linking infrastructure and bringing down energy costs.

Federation of Associations for Small and Medium Enterprises of Cambodia president Te Taingpor said the trade fair is a key player in promoting Cambodian products. Cambodia is a regional hub of agricultural raw materials.

However, local products still struggle to compete in the international market.

“The trade fair is not only a link to local and international consumption. Our SMEs could forge links to the business network to promote their products within the standard and technical packaging."

“Our challenge is financial shortages. SMEs need to support access to finance to promote better production lines to reduce costs,” he said.

Kampong Speu Mangoes Association president In Chayvan said the trade fair was an opportunity to promote agricultural products and build up further trading networks.

“It is an opportunity to promote our products to our people and for international businessmen to understand the quality of our mangoes. It also helps us to build our business networks around the world,” he said.

In Chayvan added that the mango sector still needs sanitary and phytosanitary certification to boost exports, and that mango farmers need to understand international standards and technicalities to compete abroad.