Interview with Arnaud Vincent, General Director of La Plantation
For this week's interview, Senior Communications Officer Stew Post spoke with Arnaud Vincent, General Director of La Plantation. The two discussed the importance of standards and certifications for Cambodian businesses that sell agri-products both domestically and abroad, the benefits of a diversifed revenue model, and how he got his start in Cambodia. Arnaud closed the interview with some words of advice for anyone looking to break into Cambodia's unique market.
Stew: To start, could you tell us about yourself, your background in business, what brought you to Cambodia and how you got started at La Plantation?
Arnaud: After a shortened sports career in American football, I started a new, rich and varied entrepreneurial life where I had the chance to lead and create several companies in numerous sectors: gambling and casinos, events, professional training, retail, restaurants, and gourmet food shops, where I developed a taste and particular affinity for fine products, especially peppercorn, which allowed me to travel the world for ten years and make wonderful connections. This is how I crossed paths with Nathalie and Guy, the founders of La Plantation. This encounter marked a new turning point in my life as I decided to sell all my businesses to join them in this extraordinary adventure in Cambodia, accompanied by my wife and three children.
Stew: Despite recent upswings in tourism as well as growth in other industries, including agriculture, market challenges remain across sectors. Do you think La Plantation's business model that blends agriculture production and tourism can provide a promising strategy in times of uncertainty?
Arnaud: Absolutely. La Plantation's approach, combining agriculture and tourism, two of the Kingdom's most important economic sectors, has proven to be a resilient and sustainable model, particularly thanks to our social approach, through sustainable practices such as fair trade and responsible tourism. By diversifying our activities, we absorb market uncertainties. Our agritourism component not only provides a source of income for local populations but also raises awareness among visitors about sustainable agricultural practices while promoting Cambodian culture internationally. This model has allowed us to maintain steady growth and navigate through difficult periods for over ten years.
Stew: There is growing interest in gaining certifications and compliance with global standards as a path for Cambodian agri-products to reach broader markets. La Plantation products hold a number of certifications – including eco and fair-trade certifications.
Why do you think that these types of certifications are particularly important for small producers like yourselves?
Arnaud: Certifications are crucial for small producers like us for several reasons. First of all, they bring credibility and trust to the global market. Our Organic and Fair Trade certifications from WFTO, for example, demonstrate our commitment to ethical practices and social responsibility. Our ISO22000-2018 certification proves that our products meet the most challenging international hygiene and quality standards. This is particularly important in a developing market like Cambodia, where international buyers might have concerns about production standards.
Secondly, certifications help us differentiate our products in a competitive market. The PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) for Kampot Pepper, for example, guarantees the unique quality and origin of our product.
Finally, these certifications align with our core values of sustainability and community development. They provide a framework for continuous improvement and help us measure our impact. For small producers, this can be a powerful tool for growth and accessing new markets that value sustainable and ethical production.
Stew: There is a lot of talk about trying to broaden Cambodia's appeal beyond Angkor Wat, despite its significant cultural and tourist appeal. Do you think that operations like La Plantation, with its blended business model, could support this goal? What else does Cambodia have to offer and what other strategies do you think could be promising for growing Cambodia's global tourism appeal?
Arnaud: Indeed, actors like La Plantation can significantly contribute to broadening Cambodia's appeal beyond Angkor Wat. Our model showcases the country's agricultural heritage, culinary traditions, and sustainable development practices. By offering visitors an immersive experience in spice production and Cambodian rural life, we provide a human and authentic experience of Cambodia that leaves a memorable impression.
Cambodia has much more to offer beyond its ancient temples. The country's beautiful beaches, vibrant food scene, rich biodiversity, and the warmth of its people are all potentials that remain to be developed for tourism. In my opinion, strategies to grow Cambodia's global tourism appeal could include:
-
Developing eco-tourism initiatives that highlight Cambodia's natural beauty and conservation efforts, offering authentic cultural experiences.
-
Promoting culinary tourism to showcase Cambodia's unique flavors and cooking traditions.
-
Investing in infrastructure and training to improve service quality across the tourism sector.
-
Using digital marketing to reach younger, adventure-seeking travelers interested in “off main road” destinations.
Stew: Despite the opportunities, there are challenges to running a business here. What advice would you give to a new business trying to succeed in Cambodia? Are there any common pitfalls they should avoid or opportunities they shouldn't let pass by?
Arnaud: Based on my experience, I would advise new businesses in Cambodia to thoroughly understand the local culture and business practices, which can represent a major challenge for a Westerner if one doesn't take into account the subtleties and nuances of Cambodian culture and relationships.
Building strong relationships is crucial in Cambodia. As a foreigner, I advise adopting a humble posture, being patient and persistent. Things may move slower than you're used to, but persistence pays off.
Embrace innovation while respecting traditions. Cambodia is modernising rapidly, but traditional values remain important.
Consider a hybrid business model that combines different sectors, like our agriculture-tourism approach, but be careful to remain coherent. We often see here quite strange mixtures of businesses type, that go broke as quickly as they arrive.
Prioritise sustainability and community impact. This not only helps the country but can also differentiate your business.
.png)
.png)
