News

Update Cambodia's Silk and Strategy_News

Time:2018-12-24 Source:International Silk Union Secre

 

Ms. Seng Takakneary

Managing director of SentoSaSilk

Introduction:

Cambodia is one of the country that produces “Golden silk”. The Silk Yarn is produced by hand, dyed by hand and weave by hand using traditional tools.  It is obviously the traces of their past and part of their culture. Through hand weaving and the traditional craftsmanship of women, giving rise to high value silk textiles, handicrafts and garments appreciated by increasing numbers of foreign tourists as well as international consumers interested in fair trade products. On the back of the recent boom in tourist sales and exports, and recognizing its potential for additional income generation, silk was recognized as a national priority among 10 important sectors under the Cambodia Diagnostic Trade Integration Study ( DTIS ) 2014–2018. Cambodian Golden silk is at the heart of Khmer culture, it is a work of art and a legacy of a very rich culture.

At the moment the growth of the sector is only driven by the perseverance and dynamism of SMEs and cooperatives, with little effective public support.

1. Silk Situation in Cambodia

Cambodia has an existing Silk strategy which both addresses the opportunities and challenges of the sector and it aims to expand the importance of silk sector for the national economy in respond to the growing demand on silk both in domestic and international market.  The strategy also aims to revitalize sericulture in Cambodia to expand and strengthen its silk yarn production to feed into domestic textile and garment production and to provide increased employment opportunities for rural populations.

History says, Cambodia used to consume 400 tons of Silk Yarn alone and import them from our neighboring countries. Cambodia’s domestic Yarn is the so called Golden Silk with a shorter length from the commercial White Silk. Yarn are extracted manually and traditionally. White Silk Yarn are all imported, and what we have in the market are most often for weft and not for warping, so the weavers are manually converting the yarn to make it fit for warping.

Quality are based on handspun, hand dyed and hand woven standard and not commercially competitive but artistically valuable as this job contributes a lot for women economic empowerment.

Traditional designs and colors are all from the inherited concept from the ancestors during Angkor Period.  

Although Cambodian Silk is in traditional method, there is something seemingly captivating about the Cambodian silk. Its inherent beauty is tantalizing; Its designs and craftsmanship enthralls the senses; and its history is engaging.  There was a time during the 19th century that Cambodian fabric was considered as among the finest textiles in the world.  When the King of Thailand visited the US in 1856, he brought it as gift to the US President.

There are three distinct Cambodian silk fabrics: the ikat Pedan & the ikat haul, The Chorebab and “la combed” and unique twill-patterned plain weaving silks.

2.  Update and Progress of SILK Sector in Cambodia

There are some small initiatives coming from different players.  The school is in a very small portion of piloting a Silk Lab and slowly introducing mechanical reeling machines, Private entrepreneurs starting to expand to mulberry planting and sericulture, but still way too far to real silk production and efficiency.  So the sector still needs more exposure and skills development on the modern technology that can boost the sector to the max.

There are also some initiative from silk traders of creating more intricate designs combining the different geographical skills of master weavers and create a more advanced fabric to offer to the emerging market.

Whereas on the government side , through the support of different international community and ISU, had moved forward and sent students to China , yearly to enhanced their knowledge in sericulture.  Had supported formation of different community associations, had supported the National Silk Brand and label, and is working on Silk Festival to support the local silk traders.

3.  Recap on the visit of ISU in Cambodia

The visit of ISU in Cambodia had resulted to a findings and strategic proposal such as  that will give a clear direction for the silk sector.

1) Precise positioning of the development direction of silk industry.

2) To strive for project support from Chinese government.

3) To strive for project support from United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

4) Policy support from Cambodia government

5) Preferential policies of investment promotion and capital introduction.

6) To formulate the quantitative target of industrial upgrading in the development planning.

4. Recap on the MOU Between ISU and Cambodia

ISU visit in Cambodia has resulted into agreement and AREAS OF COOPERATION

1) Providing and receiving technical assistant and support on silk product development and other aspect of silk value and supply chain.

2) China market facilitation for Cambodian silk .

3) Organization of lectures, international meetings, conferences, exhibition and workshops.

4)  Exchange of research, information and teaching materials.

5)  Providing opportunities for international training.

6)  Searching for opportunities for continuous collaboration.

5. SentoSaSilk progress on sericulture

SentoSaSilk started its operations in a small flat located in the busy streets along Phnom Penh’s riverside.  During its initiation, the founder finds the opportunity for disable Cambodians to have a place in the society and help improved their well-being by providing them job. SentoSaSilk started with two people with physical disabilities. They were sourced from a Cambodian national organization for disabled persons.  Since then, the two were developed as master trainers and decently working up to now as trainers/teachers of SentoSaSilk.

As the company finds it growth, more disabled persons were given chances to get decent jobs. On top of that, new fresh young aspiring graduates from poor families were given opportunities to get trained by SentoSaSilk and, more young citizens was able to acquire good working ambience and professional management experiences. Moreover, craftswomen and weavers in different provinces were developed as entrepreneurs providing sustainable income to their communities.

Founded on 4th February 2004 by Ms. Seng Takakneary, where the idea was conceptualized and inspired from the famous American entrepreneur who was responsible for reviving the silk industry in neighboring country.

Aiming to make an impact in Cambodian Society by promoting Cambodian Silk and Cambodian Culture as well as providing opportunities to women and to the less fortunate people and develop them  to improve their living conditions by creating more jobs and bringing thousands of families out of poverty.

SentoSaSilk is a brand that expresses Cambodian elegance and high value silk craftsmanship. Products are 100% hand-woven silk, inspired by women and designed for women.  The company offers a wide range of home textiles, apparel and silk accessories with Khmer inspired patterns and techniques.

Now, SentoSaSilk is starting to her venture on sericulture and been working on 4 hectares for mulberry nursery and will be working on 14 hectares of land for a pilot sericulture production.

 

Mrs. Seng Takakneary has dedicated her life to building up the economic independence of Cambodian women and rejuvenating the Cambodian silk-making industry. The journey has been long but well worth the effort. She has struggled to not only rebuild Cambodia's economy but also her country's heritage. In addition, she has dedicated her life to helping Cambodian women find a new place in society and the world.

She has her commitment to support, Cambodian Women Entrepreneur Association (CWEA), a leading womens entrepreneur association in Cambodia, where she is the former President and current Adviser of CWEA.

She was former President of AAC and still one of supporter of the handicraft association like Artisans Association of Cambodia (AAC).