Cambodia to set up footwear association

CAMBODIA: Government to set up footwear association

By Ngo Tuan | 11 July 2011

The Cambodian government has given the green light to the formation of an association for footwear manufacturers, in a bid to boost production, match buyers to factories, and provide the industry with a collective voice.

The new association will run under the Garment Manufacturer's Association in Cambodia (GMAC), and according to Cambodian Ministry of Commerce will include all 38 of the country's footwear factories.

"I want you to be able to have collective bargaining power with the government," said Mr Cham Prasidh, Minister of Commerce. "We don't want you to have problems and then run away, so this is the willingness of the government to open face-to-face dialogue with the footwear factories."

The GMAC has been asked to consider a name change to include footwear, as well as look at how to help the footwear members.

In 2010, Cambodia's footwear exports jumped by 55.82% to US$172m.

Sectors: Footwear, Manufacturing, Sourcing