The Financial Times recently profiled Cambodian tycoon Kith Meng (who also recently made the cover of Forbes Asia and was profiled in the Asia Times), whose Royal Group includes a joint venture with ANZ bank, a telecom business partnership with Millicom International Cellular, and the exclusive distribution rights in Cambodia for various multinationals such as Canon, Siemens, Motorola, Pizza Hut, and KFC. Highlights from the interview:“'We are going into every sector we can because Cambodia needs every sector to grow,' he says. 'After that, we’ll see in what industry we want to be an Asian player.'”
“'From outside, people can make any statement they want, but those [investors] who actually come here realise that Cambodia is a place where they should do business,' he says."
"He makes no qualms about taking a different stance from the local elite, which tends to close ranks rather than open its doors to foreigners. 'I [make joint ventures] with international companies, not Cambodian ones,' he says."
“We, as Cambodians, need outside expertise,” says Mr Kith Meng.
Kit Meng has been called ruthless (especially with his business partners and rivals) and apparently he has his "share of enemies" in Cambodia. Nevertheless, he clearly gets things done in Cambodia.