The Ministry of Commerce on June 16 kicked off the seventh season of its “Buy Cambodian Campaign” with a four-day trade fair, “The 15th Cambodian Products, Fruits and Vegetables Exhibition”, in Siem Reap town.

The opening ceremony for the fair, which is set to run until June 19, was presided over by ministry secretary of state Chhuon Dara and Siem Reap provincial deputy governor Neak Neron, and attended by some 300 other participants.

Fruits, vegetables, and other products, including those created under the “One Village One Product” (OVOP) initiative, from the capital and 13 provinces are on display and for sale at the event, along with tasty food samples and cooking presentations.

Speaking at the fair, Dara said the “Buy Cambodian Campaign” aims to convince Cambodians to support and use products made by local farmers and crafters, instead of imports.

He said this shift in preference would spur job creation in communities, encourage domestic production and push producers to pursue more specialised knowledge and experience, and ensure quality and safe products and services at reasonable prices for end-users.

“The ‘Buy Cambodian Campaign’ has gotten more and more popular from season to season, and the tendency of using local products has increased accordingly.

“Moreover, Cambodian products are starting to be more available in wet markets and supermarkets, at airport shops and internationally. They’re able to compete with imported goods traded locally, in a free-market economy,” Dara said.

At least five memorandums of understanding have been signed at the event to promote trade and find markets for farmers and producers. A number of vendors also received certificates of appreciation for their cooperation with the commerce ministry in supplying food for people stuck in red zones during the Covid-19 lockdowns last year.

Appreciation certificates were also handed over to businesspeople who worked with the ministry in preparations for and participation in Expo 2020, in Dubai, UAE.