On Bayon TV, Dr Hay Ly Eang details his model for a sustainable rural Cambodia

In a rural Cambodia where modernity and traditions intersect, Dr Hay Ly Eang recalls in an interview given to Bayon TV at the end of November that Confirel was born from a simple and powerful ambition: to unlock the value of the country’s natural resources while tangibly improving farmers’ lives. Founded in 2001, the company has established itself as a pioneer of a sustainable and fair agricultural model, particularly around palm sugar (thnot) and Kampot pepper.

During this interview, Dr Hay Ly Eang explains that Confirel is first and foremost “an original idea aimed at creating products from our country, respecting Khmer traditions while helping our communities in their daily activities”. In his view, the strength of the model lies in the direct involvement of producers: when they engage in a collective effort inspired by traditional practices, they benefit both from structured support and from the benefits of sustainable development.

The founder of Confirel insists on the transparency of the value chain, a cornerstone of the trust built with farmers. Confirel clearly explains what share goes to producers and to the various institutions, so that everyone knows where their investment goes, which is a condition for truly sustainable economic development. This commitment forms part of a concrete corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach: a share of profits is allocated to social and training programs, which has led the company to be recognized as a model by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

For Dr Hay Ly Eang, the heritage dimension is inseparable from Confirel’s strategy: the past should not be a burden, but a lever for the future. He often cites innovations such as “Pizza Prahok”, which consists in reinventing an emblematic product of Khmer cuisine without denying its roots, to show that Cambodia’s culinary identity can fuel creativity and exports. The promotion of palm sugar and Kampot pepper illustrates this desire to defend an “authentic Khmer taste” in international markets.

Asked about the challenges faced, Dr Hay Ly Eang describes resilience as a core value of the company. Confirel has gone through difficult periods, but has chosen to rely on solidarity: guaranteed purchase policies, support for rural families, assistance to the most vulnerable farmers, all of which reflect a vision of CSR oriented toward the common good. The brand’s products are now present in Africa and Europe, which, in his view, proves that quality and local identity can convince far beyond Cambodia’s borders.

At the end of his interview with Bayon TV, Dr Hay Ly Eang presents Confirel as an inspirational model for Southeast Asia, grounded in strong local roots and demanding ethics. His goal remains clear: to enable Cambodian farmers, their families and their land to finally live with dignity from the fruits of their labor, with pride and ambition. In a kingdom where rural areas remain the heart of the economy, Confirel aims to demonstrate that it is possible to combine responsibility, creativity and identity in the service of today’s and tomorrow’s Cambodia.