Garment exports surge nearly 22 percent in first four months

Garment exports surge nearly 22 percent in first four months

Synopsis: Despite global economic uncertainties, Cambodia’s exports of garments, footwear, travel goods, and handbags reached $4.5 billion.

Cambodia’s exports of textile and garment products reached approximately $4.5 billion in the first four months of 2025, marking a record 21.9 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, said Sun Mesa, spokesman of the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training (MLVT) on Tuesday.

From January to April, Cambodia’s exports of garments, footwear, travel goods, and handbags reached approximately $4.5 billion, despite global economic uncertainties.

Mesa made this statement during a press conference for the 8th National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Day 2025, held under the theme ‘TVET creates job opportunities, builds hope for youth’. The event will take place on June 15-16, at the Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Center in Phnom Penh.

On the occasion, he noted strong growth across key international markets, including the exports to the United States rose by 26.7 percent, exports to Japan increased by 21.8 percent, exports to Europe grew by 21.7 percent, exports to ASEAN countries went up by 19.1 percent and exports to the United Kingdom climbed by 11.4 percent

“I would like to congratulate all our workers and employers for their effective collaboration with the Royal Government and the Ministry of Labor in achieving such a significant accomplishment for our society and nation,” he said.

According to Mesa, in the 20 months under the leadership of the Royal Government’s 7th mandate, the number of factories and enterprises has increased by approximately 5,086, rising from 40,300 to 45,386. During this period, Cambodia’s labour force has also grown, from 1,650,000 to 1,870,000 workers.

Mesa added that the garment sector currently includes 1,657 factories employing around 970,000 workers. Collectively, these workers earn a total of approximately $3.1 billion per year on average.

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