Dr. Hay speaking at the National Science Day

As part of the 2026 National Day of Science, Technology and Innovation, organised by the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation at the Koh Pich Exhibition Centre, Dr Hay Ly Eang, CEO of PPM and Confirel, highlighted the central role of innovation in boosting the international profile of Cambodian products.

Addressing an audience of students and institutional representatives, he described “the great Confirel and PPM machine” as a genuine innovation, the result of continuous research and development efforts. “Every year, we work on creating new products, promoting our innovations and sparking public interest in our productions,” he explained.

After creating Tabastop, an anti-smoking drug developed in 1985 when he was practicing as a pharmacist in France, Dr. Hay has multiplied innovations since the creation, thirty years ago, of PPM and then, in 2001, of Confirel: valorization of palm sugar, rewarded with the Palme d’Or 2005 at the NatExpo trade fair in Paris; creation of Kirun Herbal Tea, a health infusion based on Kirum pepper inflorescences, protected by a French patent; KEM Probiotics; and, in 2023, the transformation of traditional Khmer prahok – a heritage dating back to the 7th century, well before Angkor – into powdered prahok, a first also protected by a patent.

Looking back on the creation of Confirel in 2001, he said it stemmed from a simple question: “Are we capable of doing it?” Thirty years on, PPM exports its products to more than 15 countries and reaches over 400 million consumers, while Confirel has established a presence in Japan, France, the United States, Australia, Korea and several other markets.

“Through our research and our new products, born from a constant spirit of innovation, we have shown that Cambodia can project a modern and creative image on international markets,” he stated.

Dr Hay Ly Eang also stressed that each innovation goes far beyond generating added value for the final product: it benefits the entire value chain, from farmers and producers to transporters and distributors. In the case of powdered prahok, the innovation even contributes to environmental protection: flooded forests, which are vital spawning grounds for fish, can only provide abundant resources if fishing communities actively protect these ecosystems.

He expressed the hope that the development of new products will underpin inclusive growth, benefiting both urban and rural populations, strengthening the national economy and offering the world a renewed image of Cambodia.

At the closing press conference of this 4th edition of the National Day (26–28 March 2026), the Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, H.E. Hem Vandy, argued that Cambodia is no longer merely a user of technologies but is becoming a creator of technologies. Several innovations driven by young Cambodians have already successfully entered international markets.

The minister encouraged young talents to pursue careers in science, technology and innovation so as to make these fields the foundation of their future enterprises. He underlined the concrete benefits of innovation for the private sector and for citizens’ quality of life, and called for the establishment of a robust and interconnected innovation ecosystem linking public institutions, research centres, the private sector, startups, investors and grassroots innovators. According to him, such an ecosystem is essential to address societal challenges and respond to market needs.