Interview with Mr. Alessandro Bisagni, Founder and President of BEE Incorporation
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1. Could you please tell us about your company? How long have you been operating in Cambodia?
BEE is an international engineering consultancy that specializes in sustainability and technology deployment within built spaces. We are advancing regenerative green buildings (from design to operations) globally, by maximizing resource efficiency while supporting peoples’ health and wellness.
We focus on building optimization software (energy modeling, daylight analysis, and CFD) but also green building certifications such as Living Building Challenge, LEED, WELL, RESET, etc. Our team also deploys a cloud-based, building performance management tool (called BEE Sense) to analyze real-time building data as it relates to health and wellness (e.g. air quality) and efficiency (e.g. energy management). We opened our offices in Cambodia two years ago, and we are proud to be at the forefront of the country’s sustainability movement.
2. What are the business opportunities you have identified in your operation in Cambodia?
The public and private sectors are demonstrating great willingness to push forward the United Nations sustainability goals, and the hospitality sector will play a crucial role.
We are very excited that stakeholders are demonstrating tremendous interest in sustainable hospitality in Cambodia. The tourism sector is a key contributor to the country’s growth and, despite setbacks caused by COVID, the need for low-impact development is universally understood. Cambodia has an incredible opportunity to be a world leader in sustainable tourism.
3. What are the challenges you have faced operating here?
As with many emerging markets, a general lack of understanding from design and construction professionals regarding sustainability overall, and green buildings, in particular, is a common challenge. There is a frequent misunderstanding that building sustainably “costs more” but this is untrue. In this light, our responsibility as consultants is to educate stakeholders (clients, projects teams, etc.) so that – armed with knowledge - they can be stewards of green building.
4. How has your company/business been affected by the pandemic, and what are your strategies to overcome challenges and become resilient?
COVID had a significant negative impact on the hospitality sector as many of our current and prospective projects were put on hold. In response, we temporarily shifted our attention to the commercial sector and worked on ground-breaking green building projects such as the ODOM Project and UNDP Office, both in Phnom Penh.
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5. What advice would you give a foreign organization looking to expand into the Cambodian market?
If your product or service is new and innovative, having a local pilot project to act as a showcase and educate the market is paramount. For us, it was the Song Saa Reserve project in Siem Reap – currently the world’s largest Living Community Challenge project. Song Saa Reserve aims to set a global benchmark for high-end, environmentally, and socially conscious tourism development with the country’s first ethically led mixed-use resort.
6. From your perspective, what do you think your company will look like in the next 5 or 10 years?
Our goal is to be the leading green building products and services provider in Cambodia and to drive the creation of regenerative, carbon-positive developments across the country. Cambodia has the potential to become a regional leader in green building and we intend to be part of their journey.
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