Artisans Associations of Cambodia

Dear friends of AAC,

Warmest wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!  We at the Artisans Association of Cambodia (AAC) look forward to a year that brings peace, dignity and greater economic independence to all, especially for the vulnerable artisans with whom we work in Cambodia.  As we look ahead to 2016, we also want to share some accomplishments from the last quarter of 2015.

• AAC welcomed two new members: Daughters of Cambodia and Lotus silk are officially members of AAC.  In addition, two handicraft organizations have applied for AAC membership (1) Shalom Fashion Design based in Phnom Penh consists of over ten producers and staff, seven of them are people with hearing disabilities; and (2) an organization called the Codeaukhmer based in Svay Rieng province. The total active members as of the end of December 2015 were 45.
• Sales: The income generated through trade facilitation was $6,387.24. 
• International Buyers: AAC works with two buyers who placed sample order and repeated order from Peace, Ta Prohm, Craft Village, CYK. Home Based Worker, Lady Penh and Lotus Silk. AAC has at least three buyers who will visit AAC and its members in January, February and May 2016. 
• Regional Networking: AAC continues its network with WFTO Global, WFTO Asia, HomeNet South East Asia (HNSEA) and line ministries mainly the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft. 
• Regional Networking: Together with IKTT (one of AAC members based in Siem Reap that produces high end products and preserve culture of Cambodia) met with the Deputy General Secretary of Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of Cambodia government in December 2015 to discuss displaying products at the Naypyitaw National Museum based in Myanmar.
• AAC volunteers: One Marketing Volunteer is in place and one Marketing Assistance Volunteer will join AAC in February 2016 for 3 months. AAC signed an agreement with the Development Without Border, the volunteer organization based in France in order to get a third volunteer who will work with AAC for eight months begin in March 2016.

We also continued our AAC trainings in order to help build the capacity of our members.

Two major training workshops were conducted and prepared during this quarter.

1. Facebook Page Workshops: 

In Phnom Penh: AAC conducted a half-day workshop about “Improving Your Ability to Manage Face Book Oage” on November 20^th, 2015 at AAC training room for 20 participants. 

Siem Reap: Again AAC conducted workshop about “Facebook Page Creation” on December 9^th, 2015 at a restaurant in Siem Reap province for 5 participants. Our volunteer from DSF was the facilitator.

2. Enterprise Development:

In collaboration with Mr. Cecil Benjamin Business Development Expert, AAC was able to hold a seminar on Business Start-up and Expansion on December 9, 2015 at AAC meeting room for its member organizations.

AAC plans to conduct three training in the coming months: 

1. Occupational Safety and Health (OSH): AAC plans together with the Ministry of Labor to conduct OSH training in the next quarter.
2. Color Trend: AAC has identified a facilitator to provide a color trend training for AAC members.   
3. Costing and Pricing: AAC also plans to conduct costing training for its new members next quarter.

Thank you for your continued support!  We look forward to sharing the 2016 AAC Catalog with you soon!  Until then, please know that we are most grateful for your generous support.  Happy New Year!

Warmest regards,

The WRF Team