Publishing professionals should note Cambodia’s transition from volume-based growth to sustainable, partnership-driven development – a model offering both social impact and commercial viability in the ASEAN region.
I realised Santa was real this morning, when a deep-dive report from the Cambodian Librarians Association appeared in my LinkedIn feed. On went the kettle, out came the biccies, and off went the phone. Some things just have to be savoured!
The report can be found here – but I know us western publishing folk have the attention spans of demented goldfish and wouldn’t know Cambodia from Canada on the map, so I’m sharing the best bits here.
From Grassroots to National Platform
The Cambodia Book Fair has evolved from ten booths in 2011 to a 295-exhibitor event in 2025, demonstrating sustained institutional growth. Peak attendance reached 200,000 visitors (2023), though recent editions prioritise quality engagement over volume, with 90,000 targeted attendees in 2025.
Institutional Backbone and ASEAN Integration
Led by Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts alongside the Ministry of Education, the fair’s co-organisers include the Cambodian Librarians Association (CLA) and Cambodia Book Publishers Association, creating a credible, multi-stakeholder framework. ASEAN Chair representation from Malaysia in 2025 presents growing cross-border collaboration opportunities.
Professional Development and Industry Dialogue
This year, day three of the fair focussed specifically on publishing innovation, hosting discussions on copyright, translation, and industry futures. An e-publishing forum addressed digital transformation, while the Queen Indra Devi Literature Award provided professional recognition.
ESG and SDG Alignment: A Strategic Asset
The fair’s alignment with ESG principles and five UN Sustainable Development Goals (Quality Education, Decent Work, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities, Partnerships) offers a compelling investment narrative. This framework attracts donor funding and corporate partnerships while supporting long-term sector resilience.
Market Trends: Quality Over Quantity
The 2025 Fair exhibited 90,000 titles across nearly 300 booths, down from 120,000 in 2024, but booksellers reported stronger sales. Libraries and educational institutions now serve as primary distribution channels, representing a strategic entry point for publishers.
The View From The Beach
The CLA’s enhanced role transforms librarians from custodians to active market intermediaries. Their fair participation drives year-round reading programmes, creating sustained demand rather than annual spikes. For publishers, this institutional relationship offers reliable, scalable distribution.
With 2026 dates already confirmed, the CBF presents a stable platform for market entry. Publishing professionals should note Cambodia’s transition from volume-based growth to sustainable, partnership-driven development – a model offering both social impact and commercial viability in the ASEAN region.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
