Cambodia encourages garment factories to produce masks, medical supplies
Phnom Penh (VNA) - The Cambodian government has approved a request of the Garment
Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) and encouraged garment factories to
produce all kinds of face masks, medical equipment, and protective clothing for
both domestic consumption and export.
As masks,
medical equipment, and protective clothing are being sought after by the world
to help curb the COVID-19, the government supports and encourages factories to
produce the aforementioned items, according to the Ministry of Economy and
Finance’s letter sent to GMAC president.
Spokesperson
of the Cambodian Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training Heng Sour earlier said the export of garments and footwear is forecast to drop by 50-60 percent in the
second quarter of this year due to the impact of the pandemic.
The Q1 exports
nosedived by 80 percent year-on-year when the COVID-19 broke out in the EU and
US – the two largest markets of Cambodian garment products – in February, he
said.
Over 180
apparel factories have now suspended operation, and another 60 are thought to
be close to suspension, affecting lives of about 200,000 workers.
According to the
Cambodian Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, the
Southeast Asian country is home to 1,099 factories operating in textiles,
footwear and handbag industries./.