From aquariums to deminers, NGO spearheads manufacturing in Cambodia

Sunday, April 24, 2005

New Zealander Phil Elliott was intending to mass-manufacture aquariums for his expanding franchise business in China.
But a chance encounter with a non-profit organisation in Cambodia — a country better known for its war legacy than economic efficiency — resulted in a change of plans.
After a friend hooked him up with Development Technology Workshop (DTW), a charity working with the disabled to build industry in one of the world’s poorest countries, the holidaying Elliott handed them the work instead.
“We didn’t choose Cambodia to have our aquariums made because it was cheaper or more convenient, or for any other reason than the people here need the jobs,” Elliot says, as workers beaver away on his order at DTW’s business park.
Story found here.

Source: Asia - AFP