India’s rise from a developing country with very little industry in the 1960s to the world’s IT powerhouse didn’t happen overnight. It took decades of decisions, some planned, some accidental, all adding up. You could say it’s one of the biggest success stories of our time. The mix of good education, strong policy, and the constant push from both government and private sector made it happen.
Cambodia today stands in a similar position: young, ambitious, and connected. And India’s story might just hold the playbook Cambodia needs.
Education: Where It All Started
India didn’t start with big factories or endless money. It started with classrooms and curiosity. Back in the 1950s and 60s, the government built institutes like IITs and IIMs. Nobody imagined then that these schools would someday produce global leaders in technology and management. Yet, they did.
By the early 90s, India was rolling out more than 200,000 engineers each year. Many of them were fluent in English, good at maths, and hungry to build something big. When the world started outsourcing software work, India already had a wealth of talent at its disposal.
Even today, programs like Digital India and Skill India Mission are making sure millions of young people learn coding, AI, and cybersecurity. The government didn’t do it alone; private ed-tech platforms joined hands, bringing education even to remote villages.
Cambodia could take a page from this. Start computer learning young, link up with global universities, and train teachers who inspire curiosity. STEM education isn’t just about technology; it’s the foundation of a modern economy.
Infrastructure and Smart Policy
Talent alone doesn’t build industries. You need a base roads, electricity, good internet, fair policy. India figured this out early. The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), created in the 1980s, gave startups tax relief, fast connections, and an easy export system. Many of India’s tech giants were born there.
Then came the 1990s, when India opened its economy. Big names like IBM and Microsoft arrived. Suddenly, cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad turned into living laboratories of innovation. Bangalore, in particular, became India’s Silicon Valley, buzzing with coders, coffee, and crazy dreams.
Cambodia can follow a similar pattern. Build Digital Special Economic Zones places where startups can get tax breaks, easier registrations, and real connectivity. The idea is to make it so easy to start and scale that talent doesn’t leave it stays and grows.
Government and Industry: Partners, Not Opponents
In India, the government didn’t try to control the private sector; it worked with it. That’s what made the real difference. Organisations like NASSCOM helped both sides talk and plan together. The Startup India initiative gave wings to young entrepreneurs with tax benefits and funding help.
The result? More than 100 unicorns and millions of new jobs. Today, India’s IT industry makes up around 8% of its GDP and exports over $250 billion worth of digital services.
Cambodia can build something similar by forming a National Digital Council a space where policymakers, educators, and IT leaders meet to build practical programs, not just paperwork.
Globalisation and the English Edge
One of India’s hidden advantages was language. When the global outsourcing boom began, India’s English-speaking talent became the obvious choice. From basic call centres, the work soon shifted to coding, software design, and AI development.
Today, leaders like Sundar Pichai (Google) and Satya Nadella (Microsoft) show how deeply Indian talent has gone global.
For Cambodia, English training is just as vital as coding. Blending technical and language education could help young Cambodians serve not just local but regional clients from Japan to Europe.
Cambodia’s Moment
Cambodia’s young people, growing connectivity, and entrepreneurial spark make it ready for something big. The country already has a Digital Economy and Society Policy (2021–2035) that lays the foundation. What it needs now are focused actions:
- Build Tech Universities like India’s IITs to shape next-gen engineers.
- Create Digital SEZs with startup-friendly tax rules.
- Push public–private partnerships in tech and education.
- Improve English and digital literacy nationwide.
- Encourage women in tech, because inclusivity fuels growth.
- Partner with India and ASEAN for training, tech exchange, and startup programs.
Looking Ahead
Becoming a digital hub isn’t just an economic goal; it’s a mindset. It’s about believing that your people can solve problems the world cares about. India showed that it’s possible with one generation of vision and consistency.
Cambodia’s turn might be closer than it looks. The next wave of global innovation won’t only come from Silicon Valley; it’ll rise from places bold enough to dream, plan, and act. Cambodia could very well be one of them.
