how to make money in Cambodia
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if you wanna open a bar, to give u an idea in phnom penh, on the river, or on a happening cross street full of tourists, a small place is around 700-1200$ per month rent (and i mean small, 4 tables if u lucky). the 6 blocks of the really happening riverside, nothing is available and i check often.
In sihanoukville, u can get something on the beach, but since its all illegal, they can take it away from u just as fast. cambodians (just like thai, malaysians, etc) came up with a good business model: they let the westerner develop a business, and kick em out once the business becomes popular.
right now there is a lot of manufacturing going on in cambodia. since its cheaper to make a shirt here than in China, lot of Chinese companies are opening huge factories packed with seamstresses paid 90$/month.
there are lots of ways to make money here since its cheap. i have 4 bedroom, 5 bathroom, 3 floor condo, with cathedral ceilings, an awesome roof, and i聽 pay 200$ rent in phnom penh. so even if u are an english teacher, u can still party hard and live well.
good luck, nick
I would suggest something in tourism, perhaps opening a back packer or mid range guesthouse, but don't expect massive returns. Don't start or invest in a bar, there are too many already, most tourists and expats are well educated and like upmarket trendy haunts. Don't invest money you can't afford to lose, doing business is not easy, and suggest living there for a year before you start, to get used to how things work, get to know who have become successful and see what they have done, use their models and experiences. I know of only perhaps 4 or 5, and generally they have had partners who are working in salaried jobs to support the business while it grows.
The post above is very true, although it sounds negative its very realistic. Coming with loads of enthusiasm and thinking that you can bring western business models will lead to failure. I have seen so many of these people come and go over the last decade.
Good luck
The advantages of starting a business here include a dearth of regulation, which can give you a freer hand than other places, but the obverse of that is that if you don't know your way around you will probably get badly burnt.
Therefore, my advice to you is DON'T think about starting a business yet. Come, settle in, gain experience and contacts you can trust first, before sinking any of your savings.
As mentioned above, please don't fall for the old cliche of opening a bar - there are far too many expat-run bars in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville and the vast majority of new bars close within a few months with heavy losses.
Steamer is on the ball, and he raises one suggestion. All the new guesthouse and restaurant businesses are going upmarket, whilst the old Phnom Penh grungy backpacker haunt (Lakeside) is being cleared out for redevelopment. There is a gap in the market. Whether it's a profitable one is another matter.
While you're gaining experience of the country (if you're in Phnom Penh) a bit of teaching English would be a good way to fill some time and make a little money. Foreign men with too much free time on their hands often come a cropper here!
It would be a good resource to fall back on if a business idea goes bust. You need a new idea that works with the culture and people !!!!
One expat told me you should get a job in three days as in ESL teacher, is this true?
That is the key
I don't want to overstate the case, but the best Italian restaurant in town, Marco Polo, used to close through the rainy season, but is still open so far this year. Although tourist numbers are down from high season, there are a lot more here this year than in the past.
As I frequently hear: "The best way to make a small fortune in Sihanoukville is to come with a large one."
vboy wrote:What about a Restaurant? or is that the same as the bars????
For restaurant if the biz going well u will go rich,
i am cambodian and i would like to open a bbq buffet in phnom penh, but i don't any partner to share with my biz, really bored
Yes, can teach English at your first choice for some period of time. Then, why not move on to business ideas? These should be opening restaurant, guest house, travel agent, real estate etc.. if you're on it, and having any investors. You can contact me via email: phuong@sampta.com, mobile: +855 92 400 998
Thanks,
Sam
I am also looking to live abroad and Cambodia is one of my favorites.Anny business idees,are welcome.Preferable in industry or real estate.Is it possible to own real estate for a foreigner?
And what about internet,does Cambodia have some intresting export products?Are Cambodians buying on internet?
Looking forewards to read your comments.
I was intrigued by what you said about teaching.聽 I've been here in Manila for 2+, with a job that I hate, and I've been considering moving to either Thailand or Cambodia.聽 I've heard that Thailand might be a bit nicer and cheaper in some ways but somehow the newness of Cambodia appeals to me too.
I taught English in S.Korea for 4 years and basically liked it fairly well.聽 It was only the administrators that I thought were idiots.聽 But I sorta enjoy teaching.
When you suggest getting a teaching job, would you suggest just looking around once you're there?聽 I ask because I've always heard that in Thailand all the backpackers who just want to cover their expenses for a few months..that they've really driven the pay scale down.
I'm actually 68 years old too although I look more in my 50's most people say.聽 Would that be a problem...my age?
In my case, I also make some money with some online writing...easily $500 a month.聽 And I think I could ramp that up if I focused more on it.
Also....what the avg download speed for internet there..?聽 Do you know?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Regards,
Art
But some other schools have a much more higher standard. I think I am not wrong saying that is cheaper in Phnom - Phen than in Bangkok.
Whatever,聽 you should come and prospect first.
hope u can understand me , and help me
You do need to apply yourself though and its not a ten minute a day earner as many believe.
Add a little more into your account to start with and again 700-800 can be reasonably earnt
Thanks for the post.
I am already study 2 years,the possibilities in Cambodia and also Myanmar.But it seems tuff to get the right business information.
There defenly must be possibilities in the agriculture or fish industry.Also there must be possibilities in high labour industries.
I was there only 10 days and there a huge business possibilities in many Asian countries.I saw needs of water and electricity supply.even in the capital city,the electricity was cut several hours.
I consulted already a couple of consultancy agence,but their information was limited to the catering sector.
They told me,to not do a thing in the real estate sector,because a foreigner can not own there.
Unfortunaly my English is not enough,to teach it there.I could learn from the backpackers,hahaha.But I can help myself,also in Dutch,French and german.
And I also realise,that nothing makes nothing.
Hope to get some reactions from local Cambodian or insiders with real knowledge.Also looking for co-investors,cooperators...
Thanks in advantage
Jan.
We have many years of experience doing business in Cambodia and we are still in agriculture industry. From what I see, there is still good opportunity in agri industry but not fish.
It may seems easy to do some businesses here but in fact there are many unknown risks. I would suggest you to find a local partner and work together with him

Let's have contact and let us do something.Let's move it.I will be in the beautifull Cambodia in 4/6 weeks.
There is plenty to do there,if we are with the right people.
My best regards
Jan.
Welcome to Expat-Blog

Can you please introduce yourself with a few words ?
Thank you
Maximilien
Expat-blog Team
MAKING MONEY IN CAMBODIA IS NOT EASY BUT IF YOU THINK OUT THE BOX AND DONT FOLLOW THE HOARDS OPENING BARS AND HOTELS.
IVE BEEN LIVING HERE FOR 3 YEARS IM A FARMER FROM SOUTH AFRICA,I SOLD MY MUSHROOMS FARM IN SIHANOUKVILLE NO I HAVE A FARM IN SIAM REAP THAT SUPPLY THE RESTURANTS WITH FRESH PRODUCE I IMPORT THE SEEDS AND GROW ALL ORGANIC.
IN SIAM REAP ITS THE WAY TO GO FORGET ABOUT BARS THEY ALL FALL ON THERE ARSE IN A FEW MONTHS,FARMING ITS THE BEST THING TO DO I RENT A FARM FOR $25 A MONTH.
JAY.

Kindest Regards
Mehmet
Most expats come here to retire and look for a easier more affordable life. That is not a good attitude in business regardless of location!
To succeed, you need to be be involved full time in the operations and the finances. If you are looking to be a sleeping partner or minimal involvement, then buy a high yielding dividend paying blue chip..
The idea of agri biz is great, but it can be tricky. Rainfall in the east west and south is greatly different and can hugely impact the different crops.
There is little info on the soil of Cambodia, but it seems some of my research shows that there is quite variety.
Logistics.. If you are exporting, SHV port is pretty far from most parts of the country.
It's not impossible but it may not be as easy as many think. Of course the reward is great if you succeed.
In all business conducts, be respectful but not overly trusting. Some friction during negotiation actually reveals people's true intentions
There is no way a foreigner can own the land outrightly,but there are proper ways to do it such that it safe guards your interest, and I'm not talking about getting a trusted local individual to own 51% of the title.
Thanks.... Mike Medina
Well " trying to come up with ideas" HUM, get idea by observing situations in Cambodia Phnom Penh etc... perhaps !
i m living on the coast actually there is nowaday at least 6 business for sale ! obviously very few makes money and most of all use their wallet every month to pay bills...go slowly but shurely !Make your relocation easier with the Cambodia expat guide

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