I looked up Cambodia in the World Bank's Doing Business rankings, which, while not totally reliable, at least reflect the opinion of transnational capitalists trying to operate in a particular place. Cambodia is pretty low in the rankings - 133 out of 185, but rising.
Like AsiaBaller said above, contract enforcement can be a problem in developing economies. So you want to think of something that doesn't depend on getting someone else in the country to deliver, or at least someone else you can't immediately replace with minimal cost.
You have to be the value added. Think of something the locals don't have a clue about, and run with that. That way, if you have a local partner, they depend on you. It's tough, because people everywhere can now do the most essentially "American" things. For example - I met the owner of the Saxophone Pub in Bangkok last night - he's a Thai guy. The bar hosts jazz, funk, and blues bands 7 days a week - almost all Thai musicians.
Even so, a bar might be the way to go, if you can become Rick in Rick's Cafe in Casablanca. Another idea is doing something in media to link Cambodia with Cambodian-Americans.
Another thing with cheap start-up costs is printing t-shirts with clever designs and phrasing for tourists and locals.
What's the local music scene like? Could you recruit and train kids to be pop stars like New Edition, New Kids on the Block and the K-Pop groups?
Like AsiaBaller said above, contract enforcement can be a problem in developing economies. So you want to think of something that doesn't depend on getting someone else in the country to deliver, or at least someone else you can't immediately replace with minimal cost.
You have to be the value added. Think of something the locals don't have a clue about, and run with that. That way, if you have a local partner, they depend on you. It's tough, because people everywhere can now do the most essentially "American" things. For example - I met the owner of the Saxophone Pub in Bangkok last night - he's a Thai guy. The bar hosts jazz, funk, and blues bands 7 days a week - almost all Thai musicians.
Even so, a bar might be the way to go, if you can become Rick in Rick's Cafe in Casablanca. Another idea is doing something in media to link Cambodia with Cambodian-Americans.
Another thing with cheap start-up costs is printing t-shirts with clever designs and phrasing for tourists and locals.
What's the local music scene like? Could you recruit and train kids to be pop stars like New Edition, New Kids on the Block and the K-Pop groups?