Rules for handicraft factories in the works

via CAAI

Tuesday, 14 December 2010 15:00 Rann Reuy

THE Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy is drawing up a prakas, or edict, laying out guidelines for handicraft production in Cambodia.

Both officials and producers had recognised a lack of legal documents supporting the handicraft industry, according Ministry of Industry director general Meng Saktheara.

“When the prakas is released, [the handicraft industry] will be much more effective and transparent,” he said.

Ministry officials met yesterday to discuss the document, set to be finalised early next year.

Owners of handicraft factories must meet standards in areas as environmental protection, worker safety, and increase transparency of regulatory practice, according to a draft document.

Heng Heang, president of Phnom Penh’s Small and Medium Enterprise association, said there were few laws controlling the industry, making it difficult for craftsmen to produce at certain quality levels.

Kampot province’s director of small and medium enterprise Chan Sitha said he welcomed a prakas. Preparing regulatory framework was good to control producers, but could have been introduced earlier, he said.