armchairlawyer wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2019 10:33 am

Queef wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2019 10:16 am Why would a global corporation open a branch in Phnom Penh when they can open a branch in say, Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh, and generate in year what they would generate in three years in Cambodia?

Perhaps more to do with the FCPA. The senior execs don't fancy being room mates with Bernie Madoff.
From wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_C ... ctices_Act
Regarding payments to foreign officials, the act draws a distinction between bribery and facilitation or "grease payments", which may be permissible under the FCPA, but may still violate local laws. The primary distinction is that grease payments or facilitation payments are made to an official to expedite his performance of the routine duties he is already bound to perform. The exception focuses on the purpose of the payment rather than on its value. Payments to foreign officials may be legal under the FCPA if the payments are permitted under the written laws of the host country. Certain payments or reimbursements relating to product promotion may also be permitted under the FCPA.

Ironically, therefore, their problem is made worse by strict local anti-corruption laws.
For me, I like that Cambodia has so few global brands.

Ravensnest wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2019 10:33 am I honestly like going to the small mom and pop businesses here and supporting the locals because of the camaraderie of being personal. It reminds me of my country when I was small, 40 years ago and previous to that. Like my mother going to the butcher shop and knowing the butcher and the like. It's all gotten too impersonal in the west in my country anyhow. Walmart and other huge businesses are impersonal, nobody really gives a shit about their customers in corporate America.

xandreu wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2019 9:54 am My family visit me in Cambodia on occasions and I tend to keep them away from Phnom Penh. It still has a few major issues to deal with before you can associate adjectives such as cool, modern, cosmopolitan etc...

The three major issues are:

The disregard for throwing rubbish into the street (an organised system of public litter bins which are emptied regularly would help a lot)

Better enforcement of traffic rules (more lines pained on the road showing things like who has to give way to who and better road signs would help a lot)

Making it easier and worthwhile for international retail chains to do business here. One of the main comments my family makes is that there doesn't seem to be any familiar shop brands here. There are some modern malls with familiar brands, but a lot of the retail here is done by small, independent store owners. Personally that doesn't bother me, but many tourists do expect some sort of familiarity when visiting capital cities.

Things are certainly improving though.

IraHayes wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2019 12:57 pm

explorer wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2019 12:28 pm I don't think it is important for international chains to own retail stores, but it would be good if certain things were brought in, even if locals own the stores.

Even if.... ?? As a last resort if no other foreign nationals want to as the locals will probably Fock it up and even if they get it mostly right it still won’t be good enough eh?

Ravensnest wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2019 10:33 am I honestly like going to the small mom and pop businesses here and supporting the locals because of the camaraderie of being personal. It reminds me of my country when I was small, 40 years ago and previous to that. Like my mother going to the butcher shop and knowing the butcher and the like. It's all gotten too impersonal in the west in my country anyhow. Walmart and other huge businesses are impersonal, nobody really gives a shit about their customers in corporate America.

Queef wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2019 10:51 am
Well, US companies aren't the only companies with a global reach...

explorer wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2019 12:28 pm

xandreu wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2019 9:54 am My family visit me in Cambodia on occasions and I tend to keep them away from Phnom Penh. It still has a few major issues to deal with before you can associate adjectives such as cool, modern, cosmopolitan etc...

The three major issues are:

The disregard for throwing rubbish into the street (an organised system of public litter bins which are emptied regularly would help a lot)

Better enforcement of traffic rules (more lines pained on the road showing things like who has to give way to who and better road signs would help a lot)

Making it easier and worthwhile for international retail chains to do business here. One of the main comments my family makes is that there doesn't seem to be any familiar shop brands here. There are some modern malls with familiar brands, but a lot of the retail here is done by small, independent store owners. Personally that doesn't bother me, but many tourists do expect some sort of familiarity when visiting capital cities.

Things are certainly improving though.

I would add:

Clearing the side walks so people don't have to walk on the road amongst the traffic.

Having more good restaurants, where freshness and hygiene is up to a standard international travellers would like.

I don't think it is important for international chains to own retail stores, but it would be good if certain things were brought in, even if locals own the stores.