Confirel “Leader for Change”

Confirel was honored with the "Leader for Change and Market Growth" award at the closing ceremony of the CAPFISH-Capture project, supported by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Cambodia. This award recognizes Confirel's efforts to modernize Cambodian fishery products, especially prahok (fermented fish paste), while promoting inclusive and sustainable growth in the sector.

The ceremony, presided over by His Excellency Dith Tina, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, was attended by representatives from the EU in Cambodia and UNIDO headquarters. It marked the conclusion of the CAPFISH-Capture project, which leaves a lasting legacy for the development of Cambodia’s fishing sector.

In an interview with the local press, Dr. Hay Ly Eang, founder and CEO of Confirel, emphasized the central role of innovation in his approach. With the technical support of UNIDO and assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Confirel has transformed prahok, a traditional Khmer product dating back to the Angkor era, into a powdered version.

“We have reinvented traditional prahok and made it a modern product that meets international standards. This is the first time prahok has been processed into powder form, making it easy to use, store, and enjoy for both Cambodians and foreigners,” Dr. Hay Ly Eang said.

Confirel currently offers three varieties of powdered prahok—strong, light, and medium—and has diversified its range with derivative products such as prahok paste, prahok pizza, and more.

Dr. Hay Ly Eang also stressed the importance of preserving Khmer culinary heritage while adapting it to the tastes of younger generations. “Today’s youth are used to modern products and often find the smell of traditional prahok too strong. By developing a powdered version and derivative products, we reduce this barrier while preserving the essence of our gastronomic heritage,” he explained.

Dr. Shetty Seetharama Thombathu, UNIDO’s Chief Technical Advisor for CAPFISH-Capture, praised the project’s achievements. "This initiative has turned the challenges of the fisheries sector into opportunities, enhancing the competitiveness, sustainability, and international recognition of Cambodian products," he said. These efforts have opened up new markets and improved living conditions for local communities.

Mr. Igor Driesman, EU Ambassador to Cambodia, insisted that the end of the CAPFISH-Capture project is only a transitional step. “The EU will continue to support the green revolution and sustainable growth in Cambodia, notably by helping agri-food companies access global markets,” he stated. He underlined that the project has strengthened food security and compliance with international standards, while creating more than 18,000 jobs and supporting about 500 players in the value chain, in addition to the 64 companies directly involved.

Minister Dith Tina congratulated the partners for the success of the project, highlighting two major lessons: valuing local expertise to modernize products while preserving authenticity, and the strength of a partnership between Cambodia, the EU (which invested more than 100 million euros), and UNIDO, whose technical expertise optimized processing methods.

Since its launch in 2019, CAPFISH-Capture has enabled 22 companies to obtain Cambodian Quality Seal (CQS) certification, 4 companies to receive HACCP certification, and 42 others to improve their food safety practices. These advances have enhanced their competitiveness and diversified their products on the market, to the benefit of consumers and local communities.