AKP Phnom Penh, April 12, 2025 -- 

Minister of Tourism, H.E. Huot Hak, has pledged support for the traditional copper silverware carving community in Koh Chen commune, Ponhea Leu district, Kandal province, aiming to elevate its profile as a key cultural tourism attraction. 

The minister, accompanied by Kandal Governor H.E. Kuoch Chamroeun, visited the region on April 11, to assess the artisans’ needs and explore growth opportunities.

Koh Chen commune, the heart of the district’s copper silverware carving industry, houses 150 families across five villages, representing a significant portion of the 189 families (355 individuals) engaged in this craft within Ponhea Leu district. 

According to Ponhea Leu District Governor, Mr. Thorn Sovanna, the concentration of skilled artisans in Koh Chen village (75 families) and Prek Kdam 1 (47 families) highlights the area’s importance to the trade. Copper silverware carving is also practiced in Kampong Luong and Vihear Luong communes, albeit on a smaller scale.

While the sector attracts an estimated 600-700 tourists monthly, visitation dips during the May-July period. 

Governor Kuoch Chamroeun emphasised the visit's objective: to understand the artisans' challenges, promote their craft within the tourism sector, and ensure the preservation of this cultural heritage.

H.E. Minister Huot Hak expressed strong support for promoting Ponhea Leu’s copper silverware carvings as premium cultural souvenirs for both domestic and international visitors. He urged relevant authorities to collaborate in expanding market access and enhancing the sector's visibility, ultimately driving sustainable growth for the community. This initiative seeks to address the artisans’ concerns and leverage the region’s rich cultural heritage to boost local tourism and economic development.

By K. Rithy Reak