Vietnamese goods top sellers in Cambodian market

9th April, 2009

VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnamese consumer goods topped sales in the Cambodian market last year for the second successive year. A turnover of US$988 million in 2008 put Vietnamese goods ahead of those from China with $784 million and Thailand with $674 million, reports the Sai Gon Tiep Thi. Vietnamese goods and commodities are now available in two of Cambodia’s biggest markets – Orussay and Phsar Thmay, as well as supermarkets and trading centres in Phnom Penh. Vietnamese consumer goods that dominate the Cambodian market include garments, electronics, processed foods, fruits, vegetables, medicines and cosmetics. At the two biggest markets in Phnom Penh, 100 per cent of garment stalls sell Vietnamese items. Bestsellers are low cost garments made by small-sized enterprises. The salient feature of Vietnamese garments in the market this year is that all Vietnamese items sold in Phnom Penh have labels in the Khmer language with the name of Vietnamese producers. A shop owner in Orussay Market says Cambodian people prefer Vietnamese goods because they suit their pockets and are good-quality. Other Vietnamese commodities selling well in Cambodian markets include plastic, aluminium household utensils, perfumes, shampoos, cosmetics and manicure tools, and other materials like thread and needles. Huge potential Aware of the huge potential that the Cambodian market represents, major Vietnamese companies such as Casumina (Southern Rubber Corporation), Vifon (Viet Nam Food Company) and Vinh Tien copybook in the last three years have increased advertising, streamlined distribution networks and improved cargo transport services to the neighbouring market. Vo Duy Hong, head of Casumina’s Trade Office says its promotion campaigns help the company’s rubber tyres and tubes for automobiles and motorbikes compete with similar goods from Thailand and other countries. A number of Vietnamese businesses are cooperating with their experienced partners in Cambodia to establish a retail sales network, storage and goods distribution chain covering provinces including Kandal, Svay Rieng, Battambang, Siem Reap and the capital city of Phnom Penh. New urban areas in Cambodia are developing fast with supermarkets, hotels, entertainment complexes, convenient stores and coffee shops. Business opportunities for Vietnamese companies and investors will increase along with urban development, experts say. VietNamNet/Viet Nam News