Lao–Cambodian ministerial visit to ConfirelAt Confirel, a Lao–Cambodian ministerial visit opens the way for local farm products to reach China

On 25 January 2026, Confirel’s factory in Chom Chao hosted a high‑level delegation led by Dr Linkham Douangsavanh, Minister of Agriculture and Environment of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Cambodian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Dith Tina. The two officials were welcomed by Confirel’s founder and president, Dr Hay Ly Eang.

The visit took place just after the two ministers signed an agreement on the “transit transport of agricultural products through Laos,” which will open a new overland route for Cambodia to export its farm products to China. The agreement is seen as strategic, as it promises to cut lead times and logistics costs while expanding market outlets for Cambodian farmers. It covers a wide range of fresh and dry products – including bananas, durians, mangoes, pineapples, rice, and cassava – and is expected to boost the competitiveness of Cambodian agriculture on regional markets, particularly in China.

During the meeting, Dr Hay Ly Eang showcased Confirel’s flagship products, made from traditional raw materials such as palm sugar, Kampot pepper and prahok. Protected by international intellectual property rights, these products are already well recognised both in Cambodia and abroad. Dr Hay expressed the hope that they would soon be available on the Lao market, noting that medicines produced by PPM, Confirel’s sister company, are already distributed in Laos.

The delegation toured Confirel’s production line as well as the Labiocert analysis laboratory, before tasting several products, including a prahok pizza specially prepared by the Penh House hotel.

Before leaving, Dr Linkham Douangsavanh signed the company’s guestbook. He wrote of his pride at discovering “a factory that processes products from rural areas, made by farmers and directly contributing to the rural economy.” The Lao minister encouraged Confirel to invest in processing in Laos or to export more there, describing the visit as “extremely important and imbued with friendship between Laos and Cambodia” and expressing the wish that the company will further expand its international markets.