Essential Cambodia: A guide for foreign entrepreneurs, investors and managers

• Apr 11, 2022

A Cambodian-American author Allen Dodgson Tan, who came to Cambodia 12 years ago, launched a book, Essential Cambodia, on Saturday at SOSORO Museum, Phnom Penh, to help foreign entrepreneurs, investors and managers.

Tan said he wrote the book after holding more than 20 interviews with successful foreign and local business people and countless conversations with those across the business community.

“I hope that this book will help foreigners working in Cambodia to be successful and thrive in the Kingdom,” he said, adding, “Cambodia is naturally a foreigner-friendly country that welcomes businesses from across the globe. Many of the frustrations our foreign guests experience come from simple misunderstandings that can be easily corrected. My purpose in writing this book was to provide a resource for those new to Kingdom. They may learn from the decades of experience of those I have learned from.”

Unlike many books on Cambodian business, Tan’s work focuses on the overall business landscape and culture rather than the legal and regulatory aspects of a business. The book highlights potential differences in thinking between European and local customs and norms.

Tan also pointed out some unfair international representations of Cambodia. He acknowledged that challenges exist for all businesses in Cambodia but that these will be significantly reduced when one understands the business environment correctly.

He found that it must learn to accept things they cannot change and then adapt. However, one of his key observations of those who are not successful in Cambodia is that they spend much energy fighting against the system negatively and complaining about how everyone is doing things the wrong way. While these individuals may be factually correct, it is rarely a productive strategy.

Mey Kalyan, Senior Advisor to Supreme National Economic Council, said language and partnership are key to success. He said, “If you want to succeed in the Kingdom, find a good partner.”

Partners in the country can understand the local behaviour, norms, and culture in the Kingdom to help adapt to everything in the country.

“Every country has its own beauty, so you have to adapt it and enjoy it when living in that country, then everything will be ok and successful,” he said.

Source: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501056425/essential-cambodia-a-guide-for-foreign-entrepreneurs-investors-and-managers/