Lotus Pond Center for Training, Development and Revitalization of Khmer Fine Arts and Crafts, started as a small handicraft and furniture shop five years ago to revive the restoration, production and marketing of quality Khmer handicrafts and furniture as commercially viable enterprises for local artisans. Lotus Pond designs its own line of products and advises independent producers and NGO projects on product design, production techniques and quality control to meet the demands of modern markets. It also provides traditional architecture and interior design services on a contract basis.

UNIFEM will be funding a project in 2000 to facilitate Cambodian Handicraft development and marketing, and upgrade production and marketing skills of women produces of baskets and clay pottery.

The project will be directed at experimenting with new product development; increasing product range, quality, quantitiy, marketability; and accessing new markets for Cambodian handicrafts. These efforts will address the long-term strategic need for the Cambodian handicraft sector to be more market-oriented and re-establishing traditional handicrafts as a source of sustainable livelihood for women producers, while creating greater employment opportunities. The project will also focus more directly on women basket and clay pottery producers. The women will be introduced to new materials to experiment with new products; and will receive specialized training to upgrade the design, quality and production techniques to make these crafts a more sustainable source of livelihood. Training and follow up support will be provided at the village level to make it more feasible for the women to participate while also tending to their responsiblities for home and family.

Dated: 15Mar2000