The General Administration of Customs of Cambodia stated that Cambodia’s clothing exports from January to September 2021 were US$8.242 billion, an increase of US$843 million compared with the same period in 2020, a growth of 11.4%. Hong Vanak, director of international economics at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said this was a “good reflection” of government policy.
Even though the COVID-19 outbreak broke out in the country on February 20, 2021, and subsequent lockdown measures were implemented, exports still showed an upward trend.
Ken Loo, secretary-general of the Cambodian Garment Manufacturers Association, pointed out in a recent interview that despite the epidemic, he has managed to avoid the loss of clothing orders.
Ken Loo said: This year we were lucky to receive some orders transferred from Myanmar. If there had been no COVID-19 outbreak on February 20, there would have been more orders.
Hong Vanak said that compared with other countries that are still in trouble due to the impact of the epidemic, the growth of Cambodia’s garment exports is a good sign for the country’s economic activities.
According to data from the country’s Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia’s apparel exports in 2020 were US$9.502 billion, including clothing, footwear and luggage, compared with US$10.6 billion in 2019 down 10.44%.
