From Cambodia to Africa: PPM–Confirel seeks to make the Francophonie an economic force

For more than twenty-five years, PPM has been building lasting commercial relationships with French-speaking Africa. As the Phnom Penh Summit approaches, in an interview granted to Angkor Info -  https://angkorinfo.com/article/le-dr-hay-ly-eang-plaide-pour-la-creation-dune-chambre-de-commerce-francophone - Dr Hay Ly Eang, President of PPM, proposed turning this experience into a collective endeavour: establishing a Francophone chamber of commerce to bring businesses together, facilitate investment and share expertise.

A journey that began in Guinea

It all began in late 1998 and early 1999, when around ten medicines from the Cambodian pharmaceutical company were selected to supply the Fria mine in Guinea, then operated by Pechiney. After the contractual arrangements changed, patients continued to ask for the products. A major pharmacy in Conakry contacted PPM, paving the way for distribution in Guinea from 2001, followed by Benin, Togo, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.

This presence is built on the quality of the medicines, their suitability for local needs and the trust of partners. A shared language facilitates communication, but success is built on the ground. Regular visits to Africa and the hosting of partners in Cambodia sustain these ties, which have also helped introduce Confirel products to African markets.

A network to turn opportunities into projects

How can more businesses be helped to follow the same path? Dr Hay proposes a Francophone chamber of commerce as a hub for information and networking. A Cambodian entrepreneur wishing to do business in Senegal, or an African partner seeking opportunities in Cambodia, could find reliable contacts and practical market knowledge there.

Backed by the countries concerned and run by people familiar with local realities, this organisation would encourage direct ties between French-speaking economies. It could bring together sector-specific networks, particularly in healthcare and agri-food, support partnerships and also promote tourism.

Producing together, sharing value

The ambition goes beyond exports. PPM is working on a pharmaceutical technology transfer project for Africa, drawing on its industrial experience in Cambodia. A shared organisation would provide a trusted framework to facilitate such investment, develop local production and create jobs. Exchanges would work both ways, as Africa also has expertise that could benefit Cambodia.

Without prescribing the details, which are a matter for policymakers, Dr Hay hopes the Summit will give this proposal momentum. His ambition is to turn individual successes into collective progress in pursuit of shared prosperity. As he puts it, “a language thrives when it has an economy behind it”.