How to Build in Third-World Countries
Building in third-world countries -- now usually referred to as "developing nations" -- carries a unique set of challenges. Not only does the construction of buildings or infrastructure carry with it the same logistical and financial challenges as construction in industrialized nations, but it also often carries the additional stresses of inadequate resources, wary investors, and an unstable and corrupt government. For this reason, potential builders must hew to a disciplined plan to ensure the greatest chances of successful construction.
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Make sure your financing is rock solid. If you begin a project in the third world without sufficient investment, you run the risk that you won't be able to finish the project. Uncompleted construction is essentially worthless, meaning you and your partners will take a hit. Before you start the project, make sure you've got the money to see it to completion -- and, if possible, contracts that won't let investors bow out if they get skittish.
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Know the laws and the culture. Before investing in a country, you should know everything you can about it. History is littered with examples of construction projects that fell through because the builder didn't know that certain permits were required or because a building was being erected on a spot that has significant historical or cultural value. To prevent these sorts of complications, do as much research as you can before you break ground.
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Look at successful projects. When considering entering a country, look at other successful construction projects, both in the country you are considering and in other countries with similar challenges. You should identity several projects that closely resemble your own, both in what is being built and that faced similar financial, cultural and political challenges. Also, for purposes of comparison, examine failures.
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Get local partners. It almost always helps to partner up with someone local in a developing nation. Not only will this company be able to help you navigate the country's codes, but a good partner will have connections with the government that will help you navigate the bureaucracy. If you don't want to enter into a full partnership, consider hiring a local firm to consult or at least to supervise local construction.
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Secure your supply chain. There are few things more disastrous in construction than a slow death due to delays from to lack of equipment or manpower. Before you start building, makes sure your logistics man knows exactly where everything is going to come from and how it's going to get there. This will save you money and avert disaster in the event you discover that a common product isn't even available in the country, allowing you to make other plans.
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