The first American retailer to develop a production base in Myanmar
Recently, clothing retail giant GAP Group announced that consumers will see clothing products produced by Myanmar factories in retail stores this summer. Gap has gone to Myanmar to contact production factories, and Myanmar may become an important production place for its clothing products in the future. In addition, Gap is the first American retailer to go to Myanmar to develop the production market.
Gap will produce and process clothing products in two factories located in Yangon, the capital of Myanmar. It is reported that these two factories have a cooperative relationship with the US Agency for International Development. Gap said that the group made the decision to go to Myanmar for processing and procurement after careful consideration and strict inspection. From GAP to the U.S. government, from industry to labor unions, everyone participated extensively in the preliminary inspections. Some international and local non-governmental organizations in Myanmar also provided clues for the inspections. All of this is to allow companies to better grasp what to do in Myanmar. Opportunities and challenges of business.
Gap’s global regional vice president said: “This may be a historic moment for Myanmar, which will attract more retailers in the future. We are willing to cooperate with the U.S. government, the Myanmar government, local Myanmar and international non-governmental organizations , work together to create job opportunities for the people of Myanmar and improve their economic level. We hope to help the local area accelerate the development of all aspects of society, and are committed to improving the working environment of local garment factories and improving the production capacity of workers.”
Gap stated that the cooperative production factory has been audited by a well-known non-governmental organization and has been determined to ensure the implementation of internationally recognized human rights and labor standards. This is a prerequisite for Gap’s cooperation with it.
In addition, Gap will also reach a partnership with Myanmar’s international poverty relief organization and implement the women’s development plan “PACE”, which aims to help women improve their career and life skills through training, and ultimately improve the quality of life of female workers. .
It is reported that this training program has been implemented in Bangladesh, Cambodia, mainland China, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, and has so far helped nearly 10,000 female factory workers acquire the work skills and knowledge required for employment. The program will be launched in Myanmar at the end of this year and will start in communities where international poverty relief organizations have intervened.
