The garment industry in Cambodia expects orders to increase next year due to improved working conditions and the introduction of a higher minimum wage for the sector. The country expects purchasing orders in the garment sector in 2018 to be higher than in 2017.

There is a lot of room for progress in the garment sector and many opportunities for the government and buyer companies to work together towards a better future for the industry. After months of negotiations, the minimum wage for garment workers in Cambodia was recently raised to 170 dollars, with the new law coming into effect early next year.

Foreign purchasers appear to be satisfied with what Cambodia has achieved when it comes to worker welfare. Now, there is a stable environment, good relations between players in the industry. Cambodia has a great future for securing business and industry investment. The country works closely with national organisations and international partners like the ILO, the Global Deal Initiative, and GIZ to guarantee Cambodian garment and footwear products followed strict standards of quality and adhere to international good practice when it comes to workers’ rights. The country now wants GSP for its garment and footwear exports to the United States.