by Heang Sarim, Cando
Exhibition of Indigenous Crafts from Ratanakiri
15-18 December 2008
Mondial Center, Phnom Penh
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Catch the Cando Crafts Center, a new social enterprise of Cando, in the One Province, One Product and Import-Export Exhibition from 15-18 December in Mondial Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Indigenous crafts from Ratanakiri including naturally dyed textiles, bamboo and rattan baskets, boxes and temporary value added crafts products for office and souvenir gifts will be presented at the joint booth of Cambodia NTFP Working Group (CNWG). Pure natural honey and rattan furniture will also warmly welcome you at the exhibition booth.
Please visit, and tell your friends to visit our booth (number 139) and the booth of Ratanakiri Department of Commerce. Our colleagues will be read to welcome you and share more information about our work and products. Looking forward to seeing you there!
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Press Release
Communities take Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) to trade fair to draw nationwide attraction
Phnom Penh – From today (15) until 18 of December 2008, forest based communities and their supporters will be participating in the annual One Village One Product exhibition organized by the Ministry of Commerce in Phnom Penh’s Mondial Trade Centre.
The Cambodia NTFP Working Group, an informal network of NTFP livelihood supporters, including WWF, NTFP Exchange Programme, CFI and CaNDO are joining the fair with communities from Mondulkiri, Kampot, Ratanakiri and other provinces to promote sustainably harvested and community processed NTFPs. This includes forest products such as wild honey, resins and rattan.
From Mondulkiri province, Prey Rodang and Krung Ratuon community based enterprises of Bunong indigenous communities are proud to promote Mondulkiri Wild Honey, a community-owned brand for Mondulkiri forest foods, as its first product to enter the market. From Kampot province, Prek Thnot community display bookshelves and chairs made from rattan harvested in community-managed rattan collection areas.
Since the community-owned production of honey and rattan handicrafts became operational last year, their work motivated by the commitment to sustainably use natural resources they depend on, is yet to reach awareness and recognition nationwide. This year?s Cambodian products exhibition provides an opportunity to promote indigenous and forest-based community products ? as also truly Cambodian made.
“What they bring to the trade fair are the achievements of their self-managed enterprises. Therefore we are very excited to help them gather greater public attention on the products as part of such an important event,” said Amy Maling, WWF’s Community Extension Technical Advisor.
“I hope this helps grow bigger market for Mondulkiri Wild honey,” she continued.
“This represents an excellent opportunity not only for the Prek Thnot community to present their rattan handicrafts, but also for Cambodia to promote its rattan industry sector that is growing so fast and has great potential to enter regional and international market if Cambodia’s rattan resources are sustainable managed,” said Ou Ratanak, WWF’s Rattan Project Manager.
In partnership with communities, government and the NTFP Working Group, WWF is implementing forest-based livelihood projects in the Mondulkiri’s Eastern Plains Landscape and Kampot province with the goals to maintain the forests ecosystem and reinforce the sustainable use of natural resources for Cambodia’s next generations.
“The Cambodia NTFP Working Group and communities’ participation in the trade fair promotes conservation and enterprise with a community perspective. Our efforts go importantly with a good working relationship among the supporting organizations with the communities and our government partners,” said Femy Pinto, NTFP-EP Cambodia Facilitator and acting coordinator of the Working Group.
For more information about:
– Honey and the project, please contact Amy Maling, Community Extension Technical Advisor, email: amy.maling@wwfgreatermekong.org or armaling@yahoo.com and Tel: 092 97 32 48.
– Rattan and the project, please contact Ou Ratanak, Rattan Project Manager, email: Ratanak.Ou@wwfgreatermekong.org and Tel: 017 22 44 26.
– Participation at the trade fair and Cambodia NTFP Working group, please contact Femy Pinto, Country Facilitator, NTFP Exchange Programme, email: femypinto@online.com.kh and Tel: 012 938 417.
