Vendors and producers are expressing high hopes that the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games will deliver a sizeable boost for Cambodian products, raising the Kingdom’s profile on the global stage.
Through the One Village One Product (OVOP) Movement, 49 different categories of products associated with the Khmer – Cambodia’s majority ethnic group – are reportedly being featured from May 4-16 at the Morodok Techo National Stadium, the main venue of this year’s SEA Games.
Suong Noy, secretary-general of the national committee for the promotion of the OVOP initiative, said that each enterprise is to display at least three kinds of products during the Games.
“I expect them to make lots of sales – they represent the face of the nation, and we have visitors and locals alike, especially national and international leaders, who are looking forward to familiarise themselves with Khmer products,” he said.
He stressed that the OVOP committee deserves national and international recognition for their efforts to raise the Kingdom’s profile, particularly by promoting local high-quality products made from domestic raw materials.
Sorn Chantha, a vendor and representative of Healthy KH Oil Handicraft, expressed her “indescribable” delight that Cambodia is hosting the premier biennial sporting event, speaking to The Post while setting up her stall at the stadium.
“I’m thrilled that Cambodia’s fame is flying high for hosting the Games. It’s hard to describe my feelings, but as an ethnic Khmer, I can only say that I’m excited to welcome national and international guests to the event,” she said.
Chantha was admittedly not overly concerned over how much she could sell at the events, expressing content with just having a chance to promote her wares to a broad audience. She invited all local and international spectators to give the local goods on sale at the Games’ venues a try.
