PHNOM PENH, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The 15th edition of Cambodia International Gems and Jewelry Fair kicked off here on Thursday, aiming to boost trade of precious stones and jewelry, a commerce official said.
Ministry of Commerce's Undersecretary of State Tan Tepikanika said the five-day event would give a great opportunity to manufacturers and traders to showcase their products to national and international customers.
"The gems and jewelry industry is one of potential sectors that has contributed to Cambodia's trade and economic growth," she said at the opening ceremony of the exposition.
Cambodia had some 851 million U.S. dollars from export of precious stones and jewelry to the international market in 2023, an increase of 261 percent from the previous year.
Tepikanika was confident that Cambodia's free trade agreements with other countries would boost the country's exports of gems and jewelry in the long term. ■
