Australia supports Confirel exports

Confirel has been selected by the Cambodia-Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development (CAPRED) to benefit from the Export Readiness Program until March 2025 designed to improve the export readiness of ten private sector companies in the agricultural and agri-food industry. Emphasis was placed on cashew nuts, rice, spices, dried fruits and their derived products. The objective of CAPRED is to strengthen the export capabilities of these companies, improve their market access and provide financial assistance for product and market development.

By mid-2023, CAPRED had organized a study visit to Australia with fourteen small and medium-sized enterprises to address gaps in market access and market diversification. The selected agribusinesses were able to connect with potential Australian buyers, several of whom were able to enter into or begin negotiating trade deals as a direct result of this visit.

Following this study visit, the Export Readiness Program is organized around 3 key components: capacity building through improved market knowledge and skills development; market visit to one of the four target markets; eligibility for a market readiness grant. It will focus on European markets, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, and Australia.

To be eligible, the selected companies had, among other criteria, to demonstrate integrity and high ethical standards; demonstrate sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender, religious, racial, national and age differences; treat everyone fairly, without favoritism; maintain a zero tolerance policy regarding sexual harassment; strictly adhere to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs' Code of Conduct and Child Protection Policy.

CAPRED is Australia’s flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia. Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It focuses until 2027 on supporting an inclusive economic recovery and strengthening resilience and sustainability over the next five years.