Just a short post to get the blog rolling again as we have rolled onto life in Vientiane once again (after spending 2 years in ‘the big mango’ Bangkok). After noticing a blue fruit truck at the top of our soi (street) the other day, thought it might be interesting to post about how small business owners get started.
For a bit of background as to why I found this interesting, I work for a legal and tax advising firm (DFDL Mekong) which specializes in company formation, mainly for foreign investors seeking legal assistance with establishing project companies for mid to large size investments. Is it paper and procedure intensive and takes months to get a company’s foreign investment license. So I had to chuckle when I noticed a new “business” at the top of our soi. Clearly the small “local” (i.e., Lao) business owners don’t need silly lawyers and company formation procedures and licenses to set up shop. They just find a place that looks like a good place to set up shop … and they get to work. When we arrived nearly 3 weeks ago, the top of our soi was just another corner without even any number or name marking our “street” (a gravel/dirt path). Since last weekend, it’s home to a new fruit selling business apparently begun by a couple with a blue truck and some fruit to sell. And that truck has been there every day since. And there you have it – small local business owners and how they open up shop. And we’ve enjoyed the pomelo, bananas, and coconut that they have to offer!
