Overview of the Cambodian Economy and Garment sector Since the end of civil war and the transition from a socialist regime to democracy regime, and also after it had been shifting from a command and control economy to the free market in the late 1980s, the economic situation of Cambodia began to improve, resulting in increased demand for goods and services in the country and also more attracting inward of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Cambodia during the past two decades. From the report of WORLD BANK (2017), by the last two decades, economy of Cambodia’s GDP growth has grown at an average rate of 7 percent, which driven by garment industry, construction, agriculture, and tourism. In the past, Cambodia was known as the country with an …show more content…
It started to export garments in the mid-1990s, but after quota restriction of the Multilateral Agreement (MFA) was removed in 2005, it cause the country face the increased competition in the global market ("Enhancing Export Competitiveness the Key to Cambodia’s Future Economic Success", 2016). This sector is based on low wages, more labor and a liberal trade and investment regime which causes this intensive industry has grown in Cambodia and has become a major source of foreign investors. Mostly, Investors also brought technology and supervisory personnel from overseas to help solve Cambodia's disadvantages such as in infrastructure and human capital. Unlike other country, Cambodia started garment industry because the inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) which cause the garment sector are insufficient in the domestic supply chain and supporting industries like textile industry. These insufficient causes the industry need to import raw materials, fabric and other inputs from another country instead mainly from China, Hong Kong ("Enhancing Export Competitiveness The Key to Cambodia’s Future Economic Success", 2016). The private sector also helps in promoting the sector by discussions and consultations with the private. As a result, the garment industry continued to grow, with production levels of