Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul presided over a major business-matching event on Saturday, designed to strengthen the market for locally made goods by directly connecting producers with the country's hospitality and retail sectors.
The event, held at the Ministry of Commerce, brought together members of the Cambodia Food Manufacturers Association, local handicraft artisans, and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as buyers from the Cambodia Chef Association, the Cambodia Hotel Association, and leading supermarkets and retail chains.
The gathering, which attracted approximately 250 participants, was also attended by Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, alongside senior government officials.
In her opening address, Minister Nimul highlighted the forum's strategic importance. She stated that it provides a critical platform for local producers to showcase their products and forge direct commercial relationships with key distributors and hospitality groups.
"This event is a pivotal step in strengthening market linkages, fostering dialogue on marketing, and ultimately driving sales of domestic products," she said, reinforcing the government's flagship "Use Cambodian Products" campaign.
To ensure sustained momentum, the Commerce Minister proposed institutionalising such business matching events quarterly, with an initial focus on key municipalities and provinces. She also called for expanded public awareness campaigns and urged retail chains to dedicate more shelf space to Cambodian-made goods.
Minister Hem Vanndy outlined his ministry's parallel efforts to support the initiative through industrial development. He emphasised the role of product standardisation, technical innovation, and quality control in building production capacity that meets consumer expectations.
"A fundamental shift in mindset is essential," Minister Vanndy told participants. "We must not only value and consistently use our own products but also deepen our understanding of consumer needs to enhance the quality and competitiveness of Cambodian goods in the marketplace." AKP