Knock On Foreign Doors to Show Our Products: PM
Prime Minister Hun Manet has called on the Ministry of Commerce to “knock the doors” of trade partners to deliver the nation’s products in person. Photo: Prime Minister Hun Manet Facebook
- By Meng Seavmey
- December 22, 2023 9:09 PM
PHNOM PENH – Prime Minister Hun Manet has called on the Ministry of Commerce to “knock the doors” of trade partners to deliver the nation’s products in person.
All senior officials attached to him during meetings are encouraged to “take their time promoting products” to the public and private sectors, he said on Dec. 22 during the summary report of the ministry’s achievement in 2023 and directions for 2024.
“It’s like doing marketing for the nation,” he said. “You are attached to me, but you don’t have to sit beside me all the time.
“You are supposed to spare your time seeking markets during the sideline meetings with our partners.”
He encouraged the ministry to work on market diversification, keeping existing markets while attracting more customers.
It could be through more product exhibitions at national or international levels, and close cooperation with the embassies and partners to promote Cambodia’s supplies.
The Prime Minister suggested two models for commerce with international partners: produce the goods before seeking markets, and determining markets before producing the goods.
The first model is a product determinant, referring to the Geographical Indications (GI) products. Meanwhile, the second model is to guarantee the markets first and then start production to supply them.
In the first 11 months, Cambodian trade with major partners reached $42.5 billion, down 2.3 percent on the same period last year. Exports were up 1.2 percent to nearly $20.5 billion.
From January to November, Cambodia issued operating licenses to 11,506 new companies and enterprises, up 14.5 percent on the same period last year, the ministry said last week.
