Cambodia Home Decorations & Home Textiles (HDHT)

When looking at one of the current relevant market trends in demand (for Asia), the increase in importance and number of niche markets, particularly for fair trade, handmade, sustainability, eco-friendly products, an unique opportunity for Cambodia arises to position itself in these niche markets based on their unique story: hand woven hand spun cotton and natural dyes; weaving skills, house hold looms all over the country which provides extra income next to farming income. There is a strong trend in the Western world of striving for individuality and originality. The interest in new, more eco-friendly products and the increasing number of Western tourists attracted by the Southeast-Asian culture are important trends that fit well to the supply potential of Cambodia. Alternative distribution channels are of growing importance too. Increasing numbers of smaller retailers are also interested in buying directly from producers in developing countries and there are more and more online shops who import. This offers new opportunities for suppliers in developing countries that can prepare pricelists specifically for individual retailers and can offer standard packages for cost-efficient shipment and door-to-door delivery. The objective of this project will be to position Cambodia in the European market as THE sourcing destination for products with green en social (CSR) values. This positioning is supported by the great diversity in product portfolio, craftsmanship and creativity. The sector in Cambodia has a long history in fair trade and social orientation. This social orientation makes the industry attractive for sustainable and fair trade oriented buyers in Europe since CSR values are often very visible in the product from Cambodia (e.g. upcycling). The added value of this project lies in the fact that CBI has developed a sound knowledge and experience in imbedding Sustainable Design at company and sector level and CBI has a sound network of buyers and reputation. This project will bring those interventions needed (but not offered by stakeholders or other initiatives) to further support social enterprises in successfully penetrating the EU market and increasing their impact locally. Through a tailor made approach technical assistance to exporters, the sector associations and the Cambodian government will be provided and it will support strengthening of public - private collaboration to address the mentioned issues in the export enabling environment as well as others not addressed by CBI.