Senior Minister Ouk Rabun addresses a meeting at the Council of Ministers on November 7. OVOP
All relevant institutions have been urged to bolster awareness of the One Village, One Product (OVOP) movement to spur local economic growth.
Senior Minister Ouk Rabun, chairman of the OVOP National Committee, made the appeal during the closing ceremony of a workshop dedicated to the 2023 network of OVOP members and the presentation of OVOP 2022 certificates, at the Council of Ministers on November 7.
He highlighted the initiative as a vital tool for stimulating local economies, generating employment and curbing migration.
He emphasised its role in advancing the country towards its aim of becoming an upper-middle-income nation by 2030 and a high-income one by 2050.
“For the OVOP movement to meet its objectives effectively, I call on all stakeholders to collaborate in guiding and educating local producers about the programme’s benefits, which are crucial for Cambodia to produce a diverse range of products and strengthen the local economy,” he stated.
Phal Socheat, secretary-general of the OVOP National Committee, noted that 559 products have been accredited as part of OVOP, including 56 from Phnom Penh. These products are slated for a five-tier evaluation, with five stars denoting the highest quality.
“Through this initiative, we anticipate creating an incentive for local producers to enhance the quality of their products. This will not only open up favourable market opportunities but also bolster the competitiveness of their businesses,” he said.
Hong Vannak, and economist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s Institute of International Relations, advocated for continued promotion of the programme.
“Achieving these goals hinges on financial and human resources, as well as the creation of a supportive platform for the OVOP movement. This includes efforts to discover new markets and improve the quality of Cambodian products for export,” he said.
The committee has announced the National OVOP Policy 2016-2026 and its strategic plan, serving as a guiding framework to forge stronger connections between ministries and relevant bodies for the effective implementation of the initiative.
