Siem Reap & Initiative: An authentic and precious “Made in Cambodia” market

On a 420 m² plot of land on Oum Khun Street, west of Shinta Mani Angkor in Siem Reap, lies the authentic, eco-friendly Made in Cambodia Market (MCM), offering a friendly shopping experience with 20 stalls featuring high-quality goods and a new community market experience.

A necklace from Cambodia Natural Seed and wallets from Cambodia's The Art of Scarf are among the items you can buy at the market. Photo provided

MCM brings together some of the finest examples of Cambodian craftsmanship today to offer a “next level” shopping experience for tourists looking for authentic cultural items or souvenirs for friends and family, while helping local people earn a living, not to mention taking care of the environment.

Internationally renowned artisans, designers and producers take part in the market, including Ammo, Saomao, Sombai Liqueur, SUENG Khmer, Khmer Independent Life Team, Can'Art, Sister Creation, Small Art School, Crafting a Future, Angkor Silk and Loom, I Dig Herb and many others.

A wide range of handcrafted cultural items unique to Cambodia can be found here, including scarves, clothing and jewelry of all types, decorative objects carved from wood, copper and silver, leather goods, ceramics, precious stones and Pailin beads, foods such as Kampot pepper and palm sugar ice cream, and even recycled items made from buffalo horns and rubber tires.

“I used to work with my partner as an organizer of art exhibitions. We were proposing meetings around artworks, but he had a different idea and thought of bringing people together to create a small, simple market,” recounts Oun Savann, co-founder of MCM.

The market was originally founded in 2013 by Oun Savann and Aebe Christian De Boer. It has just reopened since February 7, 2022 after they moved to a new location on Oum Khun Street, near the Angkor Children's Hospital.

“At the time, we thought about it and decided that Siem Reap already had a lot of markets that sold a mix of items from all over, so we thought it would be great to have a place that focused specifically only on selling local products made in Cambodia,” he says.

Homemade palm ice and this beautiful vase by Moradok Ceramic can be found at the Made in Cambodia market. Photo provided

Savann, co-founder and organizer of MCM, explains that they started opposite Shinta Mani Angkor offering a Made in Cambodia fair every month for the first year, twice a month the second, then in the third year they became a market open every weekend.

Then in 2016, they moved to King's Road Angkor and were open every day. Today, they've moved again to Oum Khun Street, west of Shinta Mani Angkor, where they started.

When they set up a fixed location in 2018, they began by using a tent that had to be erected each time, then folded up and transported. This proved too laborious, so they decided to switch to using mobile stands - like coffee carts - where vendors can quickly move and set up without waiting for the tent to be raised.

“The MCM helps its vendors earn a living, of course, but it also contributes to the arts community by hosting performances by the Phare circus, traditional Khmer artists and the Tali Tno association,” explains Savann.

They have also hosted performances by Khmer musical groups such as Brak Sophanna - a disabled singer-songwriter who performs his own original songs and also works as a music teacher - as well as the Little Squirrel Band formed by three young Khmer girls.

Savann says that in future, the MCM would like to offer more entertainment and welcome Khmer artists such as Bokator, Shadow Theatre or even the famous Master Kong Nay, but this type of activity has been put on pause due to the Covid, although Savann believes it will restart in the near future.

Visitors to the market have the opportunity to buy quality handicrafts and luxury goods that redefine what is meant by “made in Cambodia”. The biggest beneficiaries of the Made in Cambodia market are Cambodians, many of whom are in need. The market provides both direct income and skills development,” explains Savann, 37.

Shoppers browse the large selection of Cambodian-made items available at the Siem Reap market every day from noon to 6 pm. Photo provided

He points out that all vendors are subject to a set of rules before joining the market, and that they live like a community and a big family. These rules are also beneficial for tourists shopping at the MCM, as they include restrictions on vendor behavior, such as calling out loud to customers or insisting that customers buy products.

And the selective nature of the market means that products are all different from store to store, and are sold at fair prices or price ranges approved by market managers.

“I don't want a bunch of identical products at our place, because our market is quite small. We want lots of different products made in Cambodia, and we don't want vendors competing directly with each other,” he explains.

Savann confides that another MCM initiative he's proud of is the switch to environmentally friendly practices by banning all plastic packaging and using only recycled paper and canvas.

“People won't change their habits if we don't change the rules for them. We encourage them to bring bottles from home for their water and use our organic bags,” explains Savann.

Having set himself the long-term goal of creating sustainable jobs for artisans, Savann says he is pleased that the Made in Cambodia market has managed to stay in place for eight years, as it has created many jobs and incomes for Khmers, created a market where local artisans can sell their products and become a place where producers can become retailers, store employees can become owners and the latter can become designers, with each person's experience becoming everyone's happiness.

Cambodian-made jewelry is always a popular souvenir or gift, as are paintings and other works of art produced by local Cambodian artists. Photo provided

The challenge during the pandemic was, of course, the lack of tourists, given that the MCM is usually supported mainly by international visitors. Savann says it would be wonderful if more locals could come and visit the market and help out by buying items.

“Overall, there are very few people and it's actually quite serene - but it's busy markets that make money, not serene markets.

“We really want to bring the artists and all the activities back to the park and attract more people,” he says.

He recounts that MCM was a great adventure. They've offered Cambodian products to countless buyers from abroad, helped hundreds of Cambodians earn a living while showcasing local artists. Over the years, they have even attracted the attention of international publications such as National Geographic Magazine.

“The success of MCM is not just down to my efforts, it's really down to our excellent sales staff with their friendly attitude, honesty and kindness to tourists. No tricks, no deceptions. No cheap products, just quality.

“If all the Cambodians who make their living selling items to foreigners understood the positive aspect and the big increase in sales that these practices can bring to their business, no one would ever think of charging a tourist in Cambodia for anything again,” says Savann with a laugh.

The Made in Cambodia market is open daily from 12 pm to 6 pm. For more information, visit their Facebook page: @MadeinCambodiaMarket

Roth Sochieata with our partner The Phnom Penh Post