CAMBA Business Expo Looks to Invigorate Cambodian Businesses Both Home and Abroad
The fourth annual Business and Culture Expo hosted by the Cambodian American Business Association, an event designed to bring together business owners, entrepreneurs and Cambodian community members, will be held Sunday August 25 in the parking lot of the Mark Twain Library.
However, the event that will feature traditional dancers from the Khmer Arts Cultural Center, a performance from the Ancient Khmer Martial Arts Association of America and food from Sophy’s Thai and Cambodian Cuisine is much more than a five-hour-long business fair. It’s an opportunity for an often-overlooked portion of the city to shine. …
The walks have raised awareness but have also garnered something just as valuable: business cards. The association assembled the cards into a directory and printed 2,500 copies that will be available at the expo. CAMBA is also sending 500 copies back to the homeland in Cambodia as they continue to try and establish a business relationship between Cambodia and the U.S. This year’s theme is aptly named “Export Opportunity.” …
Vibol [Hou], [vice president of CAMBA], estimated that U.S. exports to Cambodia only account for about two percent of Cambodians imports. He acknowledged that as with most things, money is a factor. And with the average Cambodian making only dollars a day, basic necessities are likely to be the first exports rather than high priced American goods. However, CAMBA wants to start the dialogue between the two countries because they believe the demand is there, they just need the supply. …
Although the expo is the crowning moment every year for CAMBA, they’re moving into the future thinking of ways to better the community for Cambodian businesses outside of the expo. Holding seminars about the power of using social media and just getting owners to embrace other modernizations are a start for CAMBA. Once the festivities of the expo are over, the two men will press forward and continue developing their game plans to not only get Cambodian businesses into the mainstream but to also get mainstream businesses investing in Cambodia, both in Long Beach and abroad. …
