Border conflict drives support for local products

Border conflict drives support for local products

The participation of the people is an invaluable strength for all producers, traders, and service providers in their efforts to strengthen production capacity, one of the key drivers of Cambodia’s economic growth.

Thailand’s unilateral closure of the border resulted from the ongoing border conflict with Cambodia has created an opportunity to expand and promote local production base, while gaining consumption support nationwide, according to Thun Vathana, Senate Second Vice President.

Vathana highlighted the importance of turning this challenge into an opportunity to strengthen Cambodia’s economy, during the September Cabinet meeting at the Senate Palace, on Monday.

The meeting sets the work direction for the coming months, urging continued research and writing articles for the benefit of preparing laws and development policies, especially to have inputs for building a border economy in the future, and showing the truth to regional and international friends about Cambodia’s integrity and the need for peace, according to the Senate’s news statement.

The statement added that Cambodia is a small country compared to Thailand in terms of population (70 million vs. 17 million), economy ($500 billion vs. $30 billion), and number of troops and weapons.

Vathana further encouraged cabinet leaders, cabinet officials and advisors to collaborate with partners or social networks to promote and support local products widely and express their desire for peace with neighbouring countries.

Cambodia has always been tolerant of provocations and abuses by the Thai military force and has always been open for dialogue and international monitoring mechanisms based on international law. This indicates Thailand’s accusation of Cambodia being an invader as a distortion and false claim.

The Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia (UYFC) organised a three-day exhibition last week under the theme “Khmer Can Do” to support the trend.

Addressing the opening ceremony, President of UYFC and Minister of Civil Service, Hun Many said that the exhibition not only showcases goods but also a platform to unite voices and collective will in local products promotion and support.

“The will, conscience, and participation of the people is a great and invaluable strength for all producers, traders, and service providers in their efforts to strengthen production capacity, one of the key drivers of Cambodia’s economic growth,” Many added.

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