Confirel participated in the first Francophonie Economic Mission to Cambodia

“Cambodian agri-industry, focus on quality, export and cooperation prospects” was the theme of the round table discussion to which Dr. Hay Ly Eang, President of the PPM-Confirel Group, was invited on March 28 in the framework of the Francophonie Economic and Trade Mission to Cambodia. 

Among others, the round table was attended by HE Sarakmony Buon, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce, Jean-François Yanda, Director General of Commerce of Gabon, Ms. Maneth Nou, Director of Sales and Marketing of Golden Rice, Michel Tan, CEO of Misota Group.

In front of a mainly African audience, Dr. Hay first emphasized that the PPM-Confirel Group has a long history in Africa, as PPM Laboratories sell almost half of their drug production in French-speaking countries of this continent. “The first time I went to Africa, children were running after me shouting: ‘Here comes Bruce Lee! Here comes Bruce Lee!” he recalled, triggering laughter in the room.

Regarding Confirel and its vision for agri-industry, he noted that the company was particularly focused on developing food products with a high health benefit for consumers. “For centuries, Cambodia’s traditional pharmacopoeia has benefited from the country’s exceptional wealth of medicinal plants. It is a heritage that we must not only preserve but also exploit to translate into reality this concept that is dear to us: let your food be your medicine,” he insisted. Present on the African market where it is increasingly successful, KEM Probiotics is the perfect illustration of Confirel’s approach, as are the Kirum infusions with pepper inflorescences. At the end of this round table, during which he pleaded for African countries to harmonize their taxes, Dr. Hay was very much in demand to exchange business cards, proof of the interest that his words have aroused.

Also as part of this Francophone economic mission, the PPM-Confirel Group received a visit on March 30 from Jean-François Yanda, Director General of Trade of Gabon, and three of his collaborators. Gabon, the fifth largest oil producer in Africa, also derives its wealth from timber and manganese exports and has experienced strong economic growth over the past decade. Faced with declining oil reserves, the country is seeking to diversify its economy and production, particularly in the area of agricultural raw materials processing, while most foodstuffs are imported.

Jean-François Yanda and his colleagues have shown a keen interest in the Group’s products and know-how, whether in the pharmaceutical or food production sectors. “The country is open to all kinds of cooperation, direct investments, joint ventures, technology transfers, etc.,” he pointed out. “And, don’t forget that if Gabon is a small country with a little more than 2 million inhabitants, it is the open door to the Central African markets that have hundreds of millions of consumers,” continued Jean-Francois Yanda before insisting strongly that Dr. Hay participate in the next Francophonie Economic Mission that will take place in July 2022 in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, then in Rwanda so that he can expose the concepts he is implementing in the kingdom.

Led by Louise Mushikiwabo, the Secretary General of the OIF, the Francophonie Economic and Trade Mission to Cambodia lasted 3 days and was made up of a delegation of 70 economic and institutional operators from the French-speaking world who came to establish business relations in the agri-food, renewable energy and digital goods and services sectors.