Cultural hub brings Ningbo culture to Cambodian workshop

The Ningbo cultural hub at Sigil Garment in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. [Photo/Yongpai App]

A cultural hub is bringing a touch of Ningbo culture to a garment workshop in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The Ningbo cultural hub was introduced at Sigil Garment on Sept 17, giving employees an easy way to explore Ningbo culture during their breaks. Through books, cultural and creative products, and other materials, the compact display brings glimpses of Ningbo into the workplace.

Headquartered in Ningbo, Sigil specializes in homewear and other apparel products. In 2014, it partnered with a Ningbo entrepreneur in Cambodia to establish its Phnom Penh-based garment factory, where more than 90 percent of employees are Cambodian.

"With most of our employees being local, there can naturally be cultural and linguistic gaps," said Shen Qihui, general manager of Sigil. "This cultural hub is like bringing Ningbo right next to the workshop, allowing employees to learn about the city and our company's roots in their daily routines."

Shen has lived and worked in Cambodia since 1998 and served as the first president of the Ningbo Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia after its establishment in 2015.

From the Ningbo in Light and Shadow global exhibition series in 2024 to today's cultural hub, Ningbo's cultural connection with Phnom Penh continues in a smaller, more everyday form.