Garment Exports Grow 15% in First Quarter

Garment and footwear exports from Cambodia increased 15.29 percent to $1.29 billion in the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 2011, according to figures released yesterday by the Ministry of Commerce. While exports to the European Union rose 46.76 percent to $376.14 million in the first quarter, marginally fewer orders from the U.S.—Cambodia’s largest market—meant exports fell by 0.89 percent to $510.23 million. Despite the slight dip in orders from the U.S., Sok Sopheak, director general of the Ministry of Commerce’s international trade department, said demand would likely remain strong for garments due to the competitiveness of wages in the country. …