Whether you are arriving with an international delegation or participating as a local business, making the most of the 20th Francophonie Summit requires preparation. Confluences has put together this quick preparation guide to help you match your goals with the right events and plan your time in Phnom Penh effectively.

PART I: Goal-Opportunity Mapping

Phnom Penh will host a wide range of official, associated, and parallel events such as business forums, tech expos, and networking events that serve different audiences and offer different opportunities.

Match your core goal to the specific events on the Summit agenda:
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💡Goal #1- Understand Business & Investment  
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▸ The Francophone Entrepreneurs Meeting (Rencontre des Entrepreneurs Francophones): Build business connections across Francophone countries, explore partnerships, and access entrepreneur and investor networks.

▸ French-Cambodian Business Forum: Target Cambodia–France business opportunities via B2B and B2G meetings.

▸ FrancoTech (Economic-related Agenda): Access innovation-driven economic opportunities and connect with companies, investors, and institutions working across Cambodia and the wider Francophone region.

▸Cambodia Cashew Nut and Pepper Trade Forum: Enter Cambodia’s high-value agricultural export sectors and connect with local producers and suppliers.
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Best for entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, importers/exporters, and agribusinesses seeking commercial entry or local partners.

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💡Goal #2- Explore Tech & Digital Innovation
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▸FrancoTech (Tech-related Agenda): Get closer to Cambodia’s and the region’s growing technology development, featuring discussions across AI, digital government, fintech, agritech, edtech, tourism tech, and women-led innovation.
▸French Tech Asia Forum: Aims for investor-matching opportunities and connections with the global French Tech community.
▸Black Swan Summit: Explore financial technology, and the digital transformation of Cambodia’s banking sector.
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Best for tech companies, startups, investors, corporates, fintech and financial-services companies, and organisations involved in digital transformation.‍

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💡Goal #3 - Academic, Legal Collaboration
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▸ Francophone Scientific Cycle of Asia-Pacific (Cycle scientifique francophone d’Asie-Pacifique):  Engage with Cambodia’s higher-education and research community.

▸The Paris Bar International Meetings (Rencontres Internationales du Barreau de Paris): Gain insights into legal systems and best practices relevant to business and investment through exchanges with French and Cambodian legal professionals.

▸ Study in Europe Fair: Discover EU universities, study programmes, and skills demand if Europe is part of your next education or career move.
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Best for researchers, academic institutions, legal and compliance experts, students, young professionals, and organisations seeking international collaboration.

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💡Goal #4 - Cultural Experience and Social Engagement  ‍

▸Francophonie Village: Explore diverse cultures of the Francophonie world with 90+ national pavilions, exhibitions, food, and cultural performances.

▸Community Run, Challenge Runs and Nuit Sauvage: Experience Phnom Penh’s social side and mingle with the local and international French-speaking communities.

Best for international visitors, cultural organisations  and anyone looking to experience the Francophonie through culture, community and informal connections. Aim to attend:
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➔ Note: The events remain subject to change. Be sure to check our event compilation regularly for updates on the Francophonie Summit Calendar.

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‍PART II: Preparation Check-List

Once you have mapped out your primary events, it's time to prepare and make the most of your time while you're here.
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BEFORE THE SUMMIT

• Lock Your Main Agenda
  Build your schedule, but leave room for spontaneous opportunities and targeted meetings.

• Prepare Your Essentials
  ‍Prepare a clear introduction about your company. Also make sure your website, LinkedIn profile, and company materials are up to date. And don’t forget your business cards as they remain widely exchanged across Asia.

• Do Your Local Research
  Understanding the local market makes conversations much more effective. Research the people, organisations, and key decision makers you want to meet, and reach out in advance whenever possible.
  If you are a Cambodian company, you can apply the same approach to international businesses and delegations coming to Cambodia.
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➔ Need help with the Cambodian market or identifying potential partners? Get in touch with the Confluences team.

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DURING THE SUMMIT

• Network Broadly
  Don't limit your networking to companies from your country or sector. Look for complementary expertise, potential partners, and connections that could open doors to new opportunities.

• Share Local Insights (For local businesses)
  International business value first-hand experiences on what it is really like to do business in Cambodia.

• Share Real-Time Updates
  Share useful key takeaways and photos on LinkedIn or other platforms while the event is happening. Tag people, join relevant conversations, and connect with new contacts.

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AFTER THE SUMMIT

• Keep the Conversation Going
  Stay in touch with the people you met, engage with them on LinkedIn and look for opportunities to continue the conversation. Send over any promised materials or follow-up introduction emails within a few days of returning.

• Look Beyond Phnom Penh
  The Summit may bring you to Phnom Penh, but there is much more to discover beyond the city. If your schedule allows, discover other parts of Cambodia to relax or see potential business environments such as Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Kampot and Kep.  
  

For expert market-entry support, contact Confluences' Market Access Manager, Dara N. VAN, at dara.n.van@confluences.asia.

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