Business Opportunities in Cambodia

One of the most compelling opportunities here is in the agriculture sector.

Cambodia has some of the cheapest productive property in the world
that I've seen, far cheaper than in neighboring Thailand or even in
South America.

What they lack here is value-add capacity. Take rice, for example.

Rice is becoming a significant export in Cambodia, yet the country
lacks the capability to turn its raw paddy rice into refined, more
expensive grain.

Much of the rice is shipped off to Thailand at below-market rates
where it is milled, repackaged, and sold at a much higher price as
refined Thai jasmine or basmati.

Land costs and operating costs are both much lower in Cambodia… and
given the country's relative stability and sea access, it's much
easier to achieve economic scale here.

There is little reason why the entire value chain cannot take place
in-country… from growing to processing to transport.

Seafood and other agricultural commodities are in the same boat, so to speak.

Tourism is another key driver for future economic growth.

Cambodia receives a tiny fraction of the number of tourists that
Thailand, Malaysia, and even Vietnam receive, yet the country's
beautiful coastline, cultural treasures (like Angkor Wat), and
accommodating locals certainly rival regional competitors.

The issue with Cambodia is simply a promotional one… and that's
something that can be addressed with time, effort, and a
cleverly-deployed marketing budget.

There is already a steady rise in Chinese and Singaporean tourists
coming to the country, and Cambodia's reputation is slowly beginning
to spread.

Manufacturing is another compelling sector in Cambodia.

China still dominates Asian manufacturing, but the more China
transitions to a fully developed nation, the less competitively it can
manufacture cheap goods.

Cambodia is best positioned among its neighbors to take over from
China as it has several competitive advantages:
the labor market is young and fairly well educated. The port
facilities are reasonably developed.

And believe it or not, Cambodia's dollarized economy makes
international trade and cost structure predictable.

Now, to be involved in Cambodia, you definitely have to be here.

This isn't a place to have a factory that you drop in on every few
months– being here full-time is key.

If I were in-country full time, I would focus on a key trend: the
rising incomes of average Cambodians.

As the economy continues to grow, Cambodians across the board will
become wealthier.

And in the developing world, it's a simple progression.

When people are totally broke, they walk.

When they have a bit of money, they buy a bicycle.

Then a motorbike. And finally a car.

They start using more electricity, purchasing more expensive mobile
phone plans, eating out more often, buying sweets, upgrading their
beer selection, etc.

You won't find iPad sales skyrocketing here anytime soon, but simple
pleasures do extremely well in this sort of environment.

Last, I should mention that both foreigners and their capital are
treated well in Cambodia.

Taxes are low (0% to 10%), and the country lacks the political
instability that Thailand seems to undergo every few months.

Overall, for both foreign investors and entrepreneurs, Cambodia is a solid bet.

There are a lot of opportunities to make some serious money here, and
the start up costs are negligible.

More :
http://www.businessinsider.com/cambodia-almost-endless-opporunities-2011-10

Simon Black
Oct. 19, 2011
http://www.businessinsider.com/author/simon-black

Solar Products More Affordable for Developing World

It is the cleanest, most abundant energy source. But solar power faces
the challenge of affordability and efficiency, especially if such
systems are to be widely installed in the developing world.

Progress is being made. Scores of Chinese companies are touting their
latest solar electronic components and products at an international
trade fair in Hong Kong.

Most of the products on display here at the Hong Kong Electronics Fair
are practically unusable for the 1.6 billion people, a quarter of the
world's population, living without electricity.

In sunny Africa and South Asia, which have the lowest electrification
rates, cheaper and more efficient solar cells are in demand.

And innovation is occurring, says Zhong Xiao Jun, whose company in
Guangzhou, China makes solar panels, chargers and lighting systems.

"To improve competitiveness of our products, we are working on
increasing battery performance," he says. "We are using some printed
circuit board to cut energy losses. Secondly, we are increasing the
electrical conversion efficiency of solar panels. This is possible
because we are utilizing special new materials and techniques for our
panel production line."

One of the challenges of solar power, of course, is what do you do
when the sun is not shining?

There are innovative solutions, such as this one: a hybrid system that
relies not only on solar, but also wind power, for street lamps. It is
already operational in Shenzhen, China and Germany.

In North America and Europe, more expensive crystalline silicon
technology is preferred for high power, limited space installations.

In the developing world, Topray Solar's Frank Lin says cheaper thin
film technology is favored.

"That means they can pay for the same power with less money. Of
course, the disadvantage will be a bigger size. But bigger size is not
an issue for the African, for the developing countries because they
have that kind of space. And usually what they use are smaller
applications," says Lin.

More affordable products for daily use in places off the grid are
coming to market. Solar flashlights on display here are being sold on
a wholesale basis for as little as 35 cents each.

A detachable LED shines up to 20 hours when fully charged and retails
for under $100.

Solar power, globally, is reaching new heights every year. Industry
officials say installations reached a record high of more than 18
gigawatts last year.

But the top market remains Europe. It is estimated only one percent of
the world's solar panels are in the developing world.

October 14, 2011
Solar Products Becoming More Affordable for Developing World
Steve Herman | Hong Kong

Find this article at:
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/environment/-Solar-Products-Becoming-More-Affordable-for-Developing-World--131852308.html

Cambodians struggle for rights and freedom

Cambodia has the youngest population among the 10 members of the
Association of South-East Asian Nations. Two out of 3 Cambodians are
under 25 years of age, and more than 30 percent of the country's 14
million people are between the ages of 10 and 24 years. With such a
young and vibrant population and an enviable rate of economic growth
for the past 10 years, what about the future does not beckon brightly?

Last July, the United Nations Development Programme released results
of a survey of Cambodian youth. Ninety-five percent of young Khmers
are proud to be Cambodian nationals. They said the country is headed
in the right direction.

Reports abound about many of the young and vibrant population who fall
prey to alcoholism and the "Perfect High"; live in a culture in which
bribery is prevalent and has spread nationwide among pupils, students,
teachers, and officials from elementary school to university level, to
the Ministry of Education.

Doctorate degrees, and honorary degrees from non-accredited
institutions, are much prized credentials that improve one's job
prospects and social status. Even military officers and government
officials want doctorate titles. There are some 2,000 Ph.D. candidates
in the country.

However, the UNDP reports that the 300,000 Cambodians who enter the
domestic labor market yearly often don't have the skills required by
private-sector employers.

Concerning Cambodia's outstanding economic development, Cambodians and
foreign donors know that has been accomplished through violence and
through governmental actions that have created in essence a "country
for sale." Tens of thousands of villagers' homes have been burned down
or dismantled and demolished by authorities. Privately owned land has
been taken by force; tens of thousands of people have been evicted;
and many have been brutally beaten. The country's forests are fast
disappearing and national resources are being sold to foreign
investors while some 35 percent of the people live on 75 cents to one
dollar a day.

Dr. Gaffar Peang-Meth
October 14, 2011
More :
http://www.humanrights.asia/opinions/columns/AHRC-ETC-048-2011

Water Festival cancelled

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday cancelled the nation's
biggest annual festival as he announced that the death toll from the
worst flooding in over a decade had risen to 247.

The funds needed to put on the popular Water Festival, due to take
place in the capital from November 9 to 11, would be better spent
helping the tens of thousands of families affected, he said.

"If we don't spend the state budget for the (festival) preparations in
Phnom Penh... we can save some money to improve the living standards
of our people and repair the damage," Hun Sen said in a televised
speech.

He also said the precariously high water level of the Tonle Sap river
that flows through the city would present a "high risk" to revellers.

More than 270,000 families nationwide have seen their homes or
livelihoods waterlogged in two months of flooding caused by heavy rain
that has resulted in the Mekong River bursting its banks, according to
official estimates.

Hun Sen said the government, the Cambodian Red Cross and several other
relief organisations were racing to provide emergency aid to the
victims, reaching more than 76,000 families so far.

The country's deadliest floods since 2000, which have inundated some
390,000 hectares (960,000 acres) of rice paddies, represent a huge
challenge to impoverished Cambodia but the government has not appealed
for international assistance.

In neighbouring Thailand, the worst monsoon floods in decades have
left more than 280 people dead.

Cambodia's Water Festival, which marks the reversal of the flow
between the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers, usually draws two million
visitors to the capital to enjoy dragon boat races, fireworks and
concerts.

Last year's event ended in tragedy when more than 350 people were
killed in a stampede on a packed and narrow bridge.

India Launches 'World's Cheapest' Computer

India has unveiled what it is calling the world's cheapest computer,
aimed at bridging the digital divide between the nation's rich and
poor.

The tablet computer is called "Aakash", or sky in Hindi, and will be
sold to students at the government-subsidized price of $35.

Indian officials and the company that developed the computer, DataWind
Limited, handed out the devices Wednesday to hundreds of students in
New Delhi.

The company is planning a pilot-run of 100,000 units.

The computer tablet provides word processing, Internet browsing and
video conferencing. The device also has two USB ports.

DataWind Chief Executive Suneet Singh Tuli on Wednesday called for
competition in order to get the price of the tablet computer down to
$10.

Indian Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal called the
computer India's gift to all children, and a tool to help lift many
out of poverty.

India has a reputation for creating affordable innovative products,
including the compact "Nano" car, which sells for about $2,000.

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/India-Launches-Worlds-Cheapest-Computer-131164843.html

Students display Aakash, which means sky in Hindi, dubbed the world's
cheapest tablet computer, after its launching ceremony in New Delhi,
India, October 5, 2011.

Chinese language schools in Cambodia

A Cambodia's senior education official said Wednesday that Chinese
language schools have been mushrooming throughout Cambodia and the
language becomes the second most popular foreign one in the country
after English.

"I observe that more and more Cambodian children flock to study
Chinese language nowadays," Chey Chab, secretary of state for the
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, said Wednesday during the
inauguration of the Beijing International Academy (BIA) in Phnom Penh.

"I see that Chinese language has been broadly used internationally now
and it looks more important, especially among business communities,"
he said.

Chab said that in Cambodia, the language has gradually been gaining
popularity as China is the country's largest investor and a leading
trade partner with Cambodia.

According to the Chinese Association in Cambodia, there are 56 Chinese
schools with more than 30,000 students throughout Cambodia. The figure
does not include local private schools that offer part- time Chinese
language courses.

Diana Liu, the BIA's director, said the BIA was the first academy in
Cambodia that offered Chinese and English programs with complete
combined programs including arts, cultures, sciences, music, dance and
martial arts.

"We are committed to building an excellent quality of Chinese and
English education in the country," she said. "Our presence here will
also help the government of Cambodia to develop human resources."

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/culture/2011-10/05/c_131175527.htm
2011-10-05

World Day Against Child Labour

Hundreds of Cambodian schoolchildren marched through the country's
capital on Sunday to mark the World Day Against Child Labour, waving
banners calling for an end to the widespread practice.

Hundreds march in Cambodia capital urging end of child labor - PHNOM PENH

The demonstration was organized by the International Labour
Organisation (ILO) and the Cambodian government, who have set a goal
of ending the worst forms of child labor in the country by 2016.

They also announced the launch of an ambitious program to rid Phnom
Penh's popular riverside area of child workers by this time next year.

Menacherry Paul Joseph, head of the ILO's anti-child labor programmed
in Cambodia, said it was "a shame" that young children could be seen
begging or selling books and souvenirs to tourists until late at
night.

"Cambodia is truly a kingdom of wonder. Let us make it a kingdom
without child labor," he said at the rally, where demonstrators waved
banners saying "Warning! Children in hazardous work — End child
labor."

According to the ILO, some 1.5 million Cambodians under the age of 18
are forced to work, more than 310,000 of them in hazardous jobs such
as spraying pesticides or working in brick factories.

Ten-year-old child worker Soth Ousphea, watching the rally, said his
mother could not afford to send him to school, and instead he earned
around 50 cents a day collecting plastic bottles and cans.

"I want to go to school," he told AFP.

Cambodia is one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries, with around a
third of its 14 million people living on less than a dollar per day.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/other/2011/06/13/306009/Hundreds-march.htm
June 13, 2011