Cambodia’s garment exports continued to grow in the first nine months of the year in spite of the political uncertainty. The country’s garments and footwear exports were worth $4.1 billion in the first nine months of this year, a rise of 22 per cent from the $3.44 billion in the nine months upto September 2012, the Ministry of Commerce has revealed. As per Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC), though volumes have increased, factory profit margins were squeezed due to labour disputes and demand for higher wages.
GMAC points out that the US is the biggest market for Cambodian garments and textiles, with imports worth $1.21 billion in the first nine months. Europe, Canada and Japan are the major importers.
Hing Thoraxy, Senior Researcher at the Cambodia Institute for Cooperation and Peace said increasing garment exports reflects Cambodia’s improved economic conditions in and its growing importance in the exports market. Thoraxy added that while output is good, more is needed to diversify and enhance production levels. “We need to shift from simple T-shirts to produce more complicated products such as coats and shirts with embroidery, to add value to the product,” he said.
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