Cambodia Australia Partnership CAPRED (2024-2025)

Jos Leeters is involved in an exciting assignment for the Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development CAPRED. On behalf of HollandDoor, he's teaming up with ProFound - Advisers In Development (Netherlands), Export Connect (Australia) and Cambodian expert Youssey Lak to facilitate market entry in Europe of eight Cambodian agribusiness SMEs, working with cashew nuts, rice, spices, dried fruits and salt.

The effort includes conducting in-depth market assessments of three European markets (the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom) and the Australian market. Based on these assessments, the project has chosen for the Netherlands as the key target market for follow-up activities. Following a series of export management workshops in Cambodia, HollandDoor and partners organised a B2B matchmaking visit to the Netherlands in October 2024. First of all, the delegation visited SIAL Paris, one of the leading global trade fairs in the food industry. The Cambodian SMEs found plenty of opportunities to connect with potential buyers from all over the globe. More in-depth B2B meetings and acquaintance with industry stakeholders in the Netherlands, including retail, took place in the week thereafter. Amongst the host organisations were Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Aldebaran Commodities, QAssurance, Nuts2, Catz International, BrandM, Tradin Organic, Do-it, and ILG Food Group.

All Cambodian SMEs were highly satisfied upon their return, as they were not only informed about developments and opportunities in the Dutch and European market, but also met very potential partners for future business. HollandDoor and its partners will continue to support and guide them in the first half of 2025 towards actual market entry and market consolidation.

CAPRED is Australia's flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia. It's implemented by Cowater International, runs until 2027 and focuses on three sectors: agriculture and agro-processing;? trade, investment and enterprise development; and infrastructure development. Among its priority themes are export market development and market diversification in the agrifood sector.