Cambodia exported over $9.2 billion worth of garments, footwear and travel goods in the first eight months of 2024, up 22.8% from $7.5 billion over the same period last year, said a General Department of Customs and Excise’s report yesterday.
Garments and textiles accounted for more than $6.8 billion during the January-August period this year, up 23% from $5.5 billion over the same period last year, the report said.
Footwear represented over $1 billion, up 22% from $890 million, while travel goods absorbed more than $1.3 billion, up 20.8% from nearly $1.1 billion, the report added.
Hoe Ee Khor, chief economist of the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office, said the garments, footwear and travel goods sector remained one of the major drivers for Cambodia’s economic growth.
“Growth in the garment sector is projected to rebound steadily in 2024, driven by stronger demand for consumer goods in major advanced markets,” he said.
The garments, footwear, and travel goods industry is the largest foreign exchange earner in Southeast Asian countries.
The sector currently consists of about 1,538 factories and branches, employing approximately 913,000 workers, mostly female, according to the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training’s latest report.
(Source: khmertimeskh)