Cambodia’s garment exports from January to September this year rose 11.4 per cent over the same period last year. The uptick was despite the February 20 community outbreak of Covid-19 and the ensuing lockdowns. Garment orders have managed to avoid sliding into negative territory despite the pandemic. This year, Cambodia was lucky to receive some orders that shifted from Myanmar and would have grown bigger were it not for the February 20 community outbreak.

Garment export growth augurs well for economic activity in the country as other countries reel under severe pandemic-induced conditions. Cambodia’s exports of garments, including apparel, footwear and bags, in 2020 fell 10.44 per cent compared to 2019.

Meanwhile the EU has decided to withdraw one-fifth of the Everything But Arms (EBA) for Cambodia covering Cambodia’s exports of garment and footwear products, travel goods, and sugar. Without EBA, Cambodia will find it difficult to continue the necessary transformation of the textile industry. It will negatively impact future investments, as well as predictability and trust, two crucially important elements of a well-functioning industry. It will also make it difficult for Cambodia to create a modern and competitive industry, with a skilled workforce, and where labor rights are fully respected.

By Fashionating World
https://www.fashionatingworld.com/new1-2/cambodia-garment-exports-up-11-per-cent