PHNOM PENH: The Indonesian Embassy is hosting the 14th Indonesian Trade and Tourism Promotion (ITTP 2023) at the Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Centre this weekend to promote Indonesia in trade, tourism, education opportunity, arts, culture and food to the Cambodian government and its people.

From August 4-6, the conference will provide opportunities for people to engage with Indonesian products, tourism opportunities and business networking. The public can also participate in cultural events such as cooking, karaoke, a fashion show, music and dance performances, games and quizzes.

The conference is an ideal starting ground for ideas to boost interactions between Cambodia and Indonesia. At the ITTP 2016, then Indonesian ambassador to Cambodia Pitono Purnomo noted in his closing address that direct flights between the two countries would be needed to facilitate social and economic trade. Direct flights began in 2019, but were cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, Air Asia launched a direct flight from Phnom Penh to Jakarta to much fanfare.

The ITTP has been held since 2006 and this year’s theme is “Strengthening Cooperation Through Collaboration,” with the aim of bringing Cambodians and Indonesians closer through cultural and professional trade. Guests will be able to interact with 17 Indonesian companies, 15 Indonesian product importers/distributors in Cambodia, two well-known Indonesian universities and representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesia and the Provincial Government of West Sumatra.