Government officials, investors and textile union representatives hope that the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) granted to Cambodia by the UK will help counteract the partial withdrawal of the Everything But Arms (EBA) deal with the EU.

They expect the granting of GSP status to give exports from the Kingdom duty and quota-free access to UK markets starting from 2021.

Oknha Lim Heng, Vice-President, Cambodia Chamber of Commerce said the GSP represents an opportunity to refresh investor outlooks in the UK towards the Kingdom, particularly with regard to Cambodia’s main exports, namely textiles, footwear and milled rice.

Sok Sopheak, Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, said that Cambodia officials and business people will engage their UK counterparts in discussions on the import and export process, both during and after the pandemic.

Kaing Monika, Deputy Secretary-General, Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia also applauded the move, noting that the GSP is set to deliver a much-needed boost to the textile industry, one of the main exports from the Kingdom to the UK.