PROMOTING LOCALLY
MADE HANDICRAFTS AND
RESPONSIBLE SHOPPING
IN SIEM REAP
Angkor Handicraft Association is a nonprofit business association that aims to strengthen the local handicraft sector in Siem Reap, promoting and linking Cambodian artisans to local and international markets
Siem Reap Shopping Map
Find handicrafts and souvenir shops, retailers, workshops and producers members of Angkor Handicraft Association. Look for the Official Seal of Authenticity to identify certified venues
Member
Our members are committed to the sustainable development of the local handicraft sector, community development and to high standard craftsmanship
.
FAKE HANDICRAFT IN SIEM REAP
Although tourism in Siem Reap has dramatically increased from around 200,000 visitors in 2005 to over 2 million visitors in 2014 with tourist expenditure reaching USD $100 million on souvenirs, Siem Reap remains one of the poorest provinces in Cambodia. Most of the population in rural areas of Siem Reap Province lack access to the tourist market.
The influx of imported souvenirs and machine-made replicas of traditional handicraft in Siem Reap forces hundreds of artisans to turn to farming and other activities to supplement their income. Around 80% of souvenirs sold in Siem Reap are imported from neighboring countries while local artisans struggle to compete with cheap machine made items.
Often tourists can’t identify authentic products from machine-made replicas and sellers are told they are made in Cambodia.
Our mission
To support the development of local handicraft businesses and strengthen the handicraft sector in Siem Reap province.
Our vision
A strong and competitive local handicraft sector
- Facilitate the active promotion of member’s products in national and international markets to develop business linkages
- Provide access to training and capacity building in areas such as relevant aspects of business management, marketing, networking, and export regulations.
- Represent the handicraft sector in private-public dialogue forums and articulate general problems of the handicraft sector in Siem Reap
- Identify and actively develop new business opportunities for members, working closely with producers to meet customers demands.
- Identify and actively develop new business opportunities for members, working closely with producers to meet customers demands.
Enquiry
REGAINING COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Him Young, a highly experienced producer in Bakong District, Siem Reap tells her story while explaining the importance of community efforts in the production of handicraft in Siem Reap.
AHA supports partners of the GIZ- Regional Economic Development Program (RED) in promoting bamboo industry development in one of the most remote districts of Siem Reap province.
Bamboo industry development is of high relevance for job creation and poverty reduction, as well as in relation to climate change issues.
