By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
IT MAY be a trick of positive thinking but Cambodia gets a bad rap, according to Keysborough’s Kalyan Ky.
While Australia pays Cambodia to re-settle asylum seekers, Ms Ky has eyes on a different trade that she hopes will bear fruit for Greater Dandenong’s economy.
Ms Ky has jetted between the two countries to build economic and cultural links as interim president of Cambodia Australia Chamber of Commerce, Innovation and Industry.
Recently she met with luminaries such as Cambodia’s Tourism Minister Dr Thong Khon to announce a tourism promotion.
She said Cambodia was slandered by “myths” of human rights abuse and corruption but that the country was enjoying a period of stability.
“I initially thought those statements were true but when working with the Cambodian Government and seeing things myself, I found it greatly exaggerated.
“There are poor people – that’s part of society. It doesn’t have the budget or resources that Australia has to help anyone.
“But people can go from very poor to very rich – the government doesn’t intervene as much in your private life.”
Ms Ky – a self-described “very optimistic person” and Greater Dandenong Young Achiever of the Year – said the exported asylum seekers would have a “good opportunity” to make good lives.
From her experience, the Cambodian Government was open to logical business ideas.
“I knew no one. My family is a refugee family but the government took on my idea and the opportunities.
“Cambodia has acknowledged trade is opening up. Australia is a very good market and they want to strengthen this between the countries.
“I was lucky it was the right time.”
She wants to establish a trade hub locally to create opportunities for Cambodia’s ex-pats to invest and help re-build the country into a major trading post.
For example, a local-based tour company could tap into the healthy stream of 140,000 Australian tourists visiting Cambodia.
There were also openings for importer companies and skill-providers.
“It was a new government. Because of the Khmer Rouge, lots of skilled people were wiped out.
“They need tradespeople and skills and knowledge.”
Ms Ky said the potential trade was a chance to create much sought-after jobs for young people in Greater Dandenong.
To find out more, visit caccii.com.
