Launch of the Cambodia Fair Trade Forum (CFTF)

Launching of CFTF marks Cambodia's 2nd annual World Fair Trade Day

Cambodia celebrated its second annual World Fair Trade Day earlier today, marking the occasion with the official launch of the Cambodia Fair Trade Forum (CFTF). The Forum is a member-based network to promote Fair Trade in Cambodia and that acts as a central representative forum for Fair Trade producers. CFTF offers information, networking, promotion, activities, and events.

The event, which took place on the rooftop of Foreign Correspondence Club of Cambodia (FCC) on the riverfront in Phnom Penh between 5:00 and 6:30 pm, coincided with celebrations in over 70 countries around the world, each one aimed at highlighting the difference that "Fair Trade" an alternative way of trading between developed and developing countries is making to the welfare of producers in countries like Cambodia.

Over 100 participants came to the FCC, including producers from handicraft, food and fashion groups around Cambodia. As well as enjoying fair trade wine and snacks, those in attendance heard speeches from the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Commerce, His Excellency Panso Rasak, Noel Matthews, spokesperson for Cambodia Fair Trade Forum, and three short speeches from producers working for Fair Trade organizations in Cambodia.

Through the speeches given during the evening, the second World Fair Trade Day in Cambodia highlighted both the successes of Fair Trade in Cambodia to date as well as addressing the need for further implementation of Fair Trade principles amongst businesses, social enterprises and NGOs working in Cambodia.

The aim of World Fair Trade Day, which has been celebrated around the world over the past seven years, is to raise awareness of the aims of Fair Trade and of the possibility of greater justice in the world through trading fairly. Fair Trade is a way of reducing poverty through the buying and selling of products that have been made in a dignified environment, where often-disadvantaged workers are provided with good working conditions and fair wages and where profit is not maximized at their expense.

The event was organized by the Cambodia Fair Trade Forum, a collection of local and international organizations working together to promote the principles and practices of Fair Trade in Cambodia. These organizations include the Artisans Association of Cambodia (AAC), Traidcraft Exchange Cambodia and Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).