For the first nine months of 2021, Cambodia’s exports for garments increased 11 per cent compared to the first nine months of 2020, says General of the Garment Manufacturers Association of Cambodia. Clothing exports grew five per cent; footwear exports increased 15 per cent; exports of travel products are up 30 per cent.

The situation in Cambodia’s garment sector has improved due to stable production, leading to an increase in exports, while orders for this year are more than they were last year. Cambodia’s garment exports to the United States increased 31 per cent in September 2021, although GSP has not yet been re-validated. Despite Covid, the Cambodian garment industry managed to avoid falling into negative territory. The industry has been gaining market share as a result of extraordinary hurdles stemming from political concerns and Covid consequences of rival nations. The surge in garment exports bodes well for economic activity in the country as other nations grapple with the difficult conditions imposed by the virus.

Import of fabrics for garment production increased more than 25 per cent. The increase in imports of raw materials for garment production this year has been in line with the growth of exports of garments and travel products.