Officials, industry leaders move to safeguard garment sector growth

Officials, industry leaders move to safeguard garment sector growth

The Ministry of Commerce and the Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods Association in Cambodia (TAFTAC) held discussions yesterday to focus on maintaining export growth and addressing challenges facing the garment sector.

Commerce Minister Cham Nimul met with TAFTAC Chairman Enjui Ho and his delegation in the capital. Nimul welcomed the association’s new leadership and reaffirmed the government’s support for the industry, according to a ministry statement.

Both sides exchanged views on measures to address issues affecting textile and garment exports as the country prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2029. This transition is expected to reshape trade preferences and market access for the kingdom.

Ho expressed appreciation for the ministry’s ongoing cooperation in boosting exports across the garment, apparel, footwear, and travel goods sectors, which remain a vital part of the economy.

The garment, footwear, and travel goods (GFT) sector is the country’s biggest foreign exchange earner, contributing around 50% of total exports.

According to an official report, Cambodia had 1,876 garment factories in 2025, a 19% increase from 1,566 a year earlier. GFT exports rose 15.7% year-on-year to $15.52 billion in 2025, up from $13.4 billion in 2024. 

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