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USAID-funded online export platform boosts Cambodian exports to MENA markets
The Cambodia Pepper and Spices Federation (CPSF) in collaboration with USAID-funded Feed the Future Cambodia Harvest II “Harvest II” launched on Monday the “Virtual Export Mission to the Middle East and North Africa”, a new digital export programme aiming to provide significant assistance and expertise to Cambodian businesses and establish exports to the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) region.
Facilitated by a recent grant from Harvest II, working through the business development, product development, investment and export planning stages, the companies will develop personalised export maps and business models to strategically launch into the export market.
Under the programme, the CPSF is assisting 25 local Cambodian businesses working in the agriculture sector with tactical approaches to enter the MENA markets.
Selected companies will also participate in the digital “Middle East Organic and Natural Products Expo” in Dubai to introduce and promote Cambodian brands to the MENA region for the first time and unlock export opportunities by connecting with new buyers.
“The Virtual Export Mission is an opportunity for Cambodian companies to export to the MENA region through digital platform that have more than 300,000 buyers from HORECA/Food Service, distributors, retail/supermarket, industry practitioners, and specialty customers,” stated the CPSF.
President of CPSF Mak Ny said that the programme is designed to provide opportunity for Cambodia’s agricultural sector to seek out, open, and penetrate the new market in the Middle East and North Africa.
“Working directly with the government, CPSF will support economic development to promote Cambodia’s agricultural products to the global market,” he added.
Chief of Party from Harvest II Nimish Jhaveri said that selected SMEs from Cambodia’s horticulture sector will be presenting their products and capabilities to commercial buyers and exploring export opportunities in the region.
“As Cambodian companies increase awareness of international market requirements, many have adopted new standards of product quality, packaging and safety for customers and are building new export capabilities into their organisations,” Jhaveri said.
Seang Thay, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce, applauded the project. “Export Mission to the Middle East and North Africa will create a hope that will further promote the reputation of Cambodian agricultural products on the international markets and as a bridge for trade relations on pepper products and other spices between Cambodian businessmen and traders in the Middle East and North Africa,” Thay added.
Cambodia exported 5.54 million tonnes of agricultural products in the first eight months of 2021, up 89.7 percent from 2.92 million tonnes over the same period last year, to 66 countries and regions around the world. Chea Vannak – AKP