France-Cambodia 2024 Business Forum: Cyril Girot, "The Business Forum, a catalyst for projects to come to fruition"

Now Managing Director of Cambodia Airports, but also President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Cambodia (CCIFC), Foreign Trade Advisor (CCE) and Vice-President of EuroCham, Mr GIROT talks about his career, the investment capacity of French companies in Cambodia, but also insists on the benefits of the Business Forum which will take place from 8 to 10 July 2024.

Mr Girot at the press conference on the forthcoming France-Cambodia business forum

Tell us about your career in a few words

C.G : I started my career in the energy sector. After working as a reservoir engineer for an American oil company, Marathon Oil, in Aberdeen, Scotland, I joined Total (now Total Energies) as an analyst in the strategy department in Paris. Then, based in Dubai, I worked as Marketing Manager for the Middle East at the oil and gas company Vallourec. I then worked as an industrial strategy consultant for Areva, a French multinational specialising in nuclear power and renewable energies. And, before joining the VINCI Group, I held positions of responsibility in two French ministries. Firstly at the Ministry of Energy between 2010 and 2012, where I steered the State's strategy for the downstream nuclear cycle at the Directorate General for Energy and Climate, and then, from 2012 to 2015, at the Ministry of Transport, as Director of the operation of national roads and motorways in two departments around Paris.

I then joined VINCI to manage a motorway construction project in Russia between Moscow and St Petersburg.

I moved on to the world of airports: from 2017 to 2019, at VINCI Airports, I was Managing Director of Clermont-Ferrand airport before becoming Chairman of the concession company Aéroports du Grand Ouest, a VINCI Airports subsidiary that operates and manages the airports of Nantes, Ancenis and Saint-Nazaire.

Since August 2022, I have been Managing Director of Cambodia Airports, a VINCI Airports subsidiary that has been operating in Cambodia since 1995. We hold the concession for the two international airports of Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, and we also developed and managed the (former) Siem Reap airport from 2000 to October 2023.

VINCI Airports has a long history in the country, and was the first major French group to set up there after the war. Over the decades we've been present in Cambodia, we've been keen to deploy our integrated airport infrastructure operator model to develop air transport and, more generally, to serve and promote the country's economic development.

What is your role as Chairman of the CCIFC and Foreign Trade Advisor?

C.G : Capitalising on my highly diversified background, which includes engineering, operations, works, marketing, sales, strategy and general management, I have been keen to get involved in our business community ever since I arrived in Cambodia.

I first joined the CCIFC as Vice-Chairman - a role I held from autumn 2022 to early 2024 - and was then elected Chairman of the Chamber at the beginning of this year. I have also been Vice-President of Eurocham Cambodia and Foreign Trade Advisor since I first arrived in Cambodia.

"As far as the CCIFC is concerned, I see my role as giving impetus to an overall dynamic, and defining and then implementing a course, a strategic direction."

Within the CCIFC's two governing bodies, the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, we energise and lead the entire network of member companies (French, French-speaking, Franco-Cambodian companies and, more generally, all those that might have a link with the French business community). Our aim is to develop trade and economic activities between France and Cambodia in the short, medium and long term. This involves, among other things, promoting Cambodia's attractiveness to investors and businesses, thanks to the quality of the policies put in place in the country, particularly in economic terms.

Can you tell us about the Cambodian economic market and the presence of French companies?

C.G : Overall, the Cambodian economy is underpinned by three main pillars: agriculture, tourism and industry (especially textiles). French companies are generally well positioned in these sectors.

A number of French companies are active in agriculture. They tend to be small, but very dynamic and agile, with well-known and recognised expertise.

Tourism should be understood in the broadest sense of the term, including hotels, restaurants, transport, etc. In this sector, we have major groups such as Accor: the group is continuing to expand its activities with the Novotel and Ibis brands, which have recently joined the Sofitel and Raffles brands that have already been present in the country for a long time. In the transport sector, of course, we have VINCI Airports, which has been present in Cambodia for 30 years, but also CMA CGM and Bolloré Logistics.

In the energy sector, we find French champions EDF and Total Energies, which have been present in the country for many years.

In the banking sector, BRED has a presence; Legrand is involved in the electrical infrastructure sector; and VERITAS and VINCI Construction Grands Projets (VCGP) are major players in the construction sector.

"These various French companies not only have the capacity to (self-)finance large-scale projects, but also, and above all, stimulate the country's economic activity and thus contribute directly to Cambodia's development.”

What's more, the activities of these French economic players are part of a sustainable development framework - an area in which they are pioneers. Energy transition is at the heart of the activities of major groups such as Legrand, AGS, Accor, Total, BRED and VINCI. It is therefore important, in developing bilateral trade and economic activities between France and Cambodia, to continue this positive dynamic of transferring knowledge and expertise, combined with the virtuous and proactive approach to sustainable development inherent in our companies. As such, the forum will be an opportunity to showcase this multi-disciplinary French know-how.

What is your view of the bilateral economic relationship between France and Cambodia?

C.G : The relationship is excellent, as we have seen from the recent very high-level exchanges between the two countries. They bear witness to a very strong desire on both sides to strengthen the historic and friendly relationship between France and Cambodia. This must be reflected in concrete terms in the political and cultural spheres, and of course in the economic sphere.

I would also like to highlight the key role played by the French Development Agency (AFD) in the historic cooperation between the two countries, through the financing of a large number of programmes. The AFD recently signed a financing agreement with the Cambodian authorities for around 235 million US dollars for projects in a wide range of fields including water, sustainable development and vocational training. So I think this is a very strong sign of France's commitment to the Kingdom and its desire to support economic activity there.

"What will be key in the relationship is the continuity of the investments that have been made in Cambodia.”

Once again, the framework and policies put in place by the Royal Government are very favourable for the business world in Cambodia, which is a highly attractive country in economic terms.

Your vision of the France-Cambodia 2024 Business Forum

C.G: Given the conditions that are conducive to the development of bilateral relations between France and Cambodia, the forum is designed to transform the desire for closer ties, which we have already seen for several years and which has accelerated since 2022, into an economic reality.

The forum will help French and Franco-Cambodian companies to gain a better understanding of the local market, which will help to increase the volume of business, as well as guiding Cambodian companies in their exploration of the French market.

The first day of the forum will consist of a day of business interaction with members of the Royal Government. We will have the honour of having the Forum opened by the Cambodian Prime Minister, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet. We will also be joined in the morning by two Deputy Prime Ministers, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, His Excellency Mr SOK Chenda Sophea, and the President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, His Excellency Mr SUN Chanthol. Also taking part will be the Minister of Mines and Energy; the Minister of Public Works and Transport; the Minister of Commerce; the Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation; the Minister of Health; the Minister of Energy; and the Minister of Agriculture. The first day will provide an opportunity for interaction between the companies attending the forum and the highest Cambodian authorities, and will demonstrate their highly pro-business approach.

The second day will focus more on the local market, from the point of view of the companies operating there. In particular, it will address the country's macroeconomic and microeconomic dynamics, private and public financing, and the legislative and regulatory framework. For a better understanding of the Cambodian market, sector-specific round tables will be organised so that companies can participate according to their specific interests, needs and expectations.

Finally, the last day, the "study day", which will take place in Sihanoukville, will give participants the opportunity to meet local regional authorities on site, as well as to visit strong and structuring business sectors for the Sihanoukville region. The airport, which VINCI Airports operates there and for which we collectively have great ambitions, is one such sector, as are the port and the special economic zones. The day's activities will include local immersion, enabling us to present a whole range of activities. Hotels in the Preah Sihanouk region are a priority in the government's development strategy, with a wealth of brands managed by a number of French, French-speaking and Franco-Cambodian companies - which we'll have the opportunity to meet and get to know at first hand.

What are your expectations for this Forum?

C.G: This 2024 Cambodian edition of the France-Cambodia Business Forum echoes the one we organised in January 2024 in Paris with the MEDEF, the CCIFC and the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce (CCC), and the 2022 edition held in Phnom Penh.

The aim of these forums is to bring as many companies as possible to Cambodia to set up and expand their businesses.

For existing companies, taking part in the Forum will give them an opportunity to improve their knowledge of the local market and to interact with the highest Cambodian authorities.

"One of the objectives of this forum is to act as a catalyst for economic development, by developing activities already present in the country, as well as bringing to fruition certain projects that are in the pipeline.”

Finally, through the organisation of this Forum, we hope to continue to raise Cambodia's profile, promote its attractiveness and the quality of the framework put in place by the Government to welcome foreign companies and enable them to prosper here.

For more information on the programme: https://fafc2024.grweb.site/events