Machica Firm, Inc. is the Philippine member practice of Dezan Shira Asian Alliance (DSA). DSA is the publisher of powerful and widely read Asia Briefing, China Briefing, ASEAN Briefing, India Briefing, and Vietnam Briefing chronicling the latest, most up-to-date business intelligence and industry-specific reports.   Dezan Shira Asian Alliance is ‘Your Partner for Growth in Asia’.

For any query or clarification about the article / news report herein cited, kindly email us at mail@machicagroup.com or message us at facebook.com/MachicaGroup.

By Dezan Shira & Associates
Editor: Vasundhara Rastogi

Cambodia is strategically located in the heart of Southeast Asia. The country is bordered by Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, and has the Gulf of Thailand to its south-west. The country is popular for providing a low-cost manufacturing base for several industries. Among the many advantages that the country offers to investors are duty-free access to some large and developed markets, a stable economy, and several government incentives. Additionally, there are several special economic zones exclusively established to promote manufacturing across the country. In this article, we briefly discuss the chief characteristics of the garment manufacturing industry in Cambodia and the advantages it offers to foreign investors.

 RELATED: Pre-Investment and Market Entry Advisory from Dezan Shira & Associates

Cambodia’s garment manufacturing industry – a key driver of growth

Cambodia’s garment manufacturing industry is largely export-oriented and highly integrated into global supply chains. The European Union (EU) represents the largest market for Cambodian garment exports, accounting for approximately 40 percent of the total manufacturing, followed by the United States ( 30 percent), Canada (9 percent), and Japan (4 percent). Many companies in the country operate as contract manufacturers for major multinational brands such as Adidas, Gap, H&M, Marks & Spencer, and Uniqlo.

In the early 1990s, the Cambodian government took various measures to boost the industry’s competitiveness in the international market, which prompted foreign investors to direct their attention to the country. Additionally, the country’s industrial development was supported by the Multi-Fiber Arrangements (MFA) quotas and other preferential trade agreements implemented by developed countries like the US and EU.

Two decades later, the garment industry continues to drive the Cambodian economy through human capital development, employment generation and foreign direct investment (FDI). Currently, the industry employees over 600,000 people, making the sector the biggest employer in the country.

Further, the garment industry accounts for 16 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) and 80 percent of Cambodia’s export earnings. In 2016, the total number of garment factories in the country stood at 589 factories.

Cut-make-trim model

Cambodia’s garment factories are generally based on the principle of cut-make-trim (CMT) model. Under this method of production, the raw material, machinery and the design of the garments are imported from abroad, while the assembly of the product is outsourced to the labor-intensive factories in Cambodia. The CMT implies cutting and sewing of material according to the clothing brands’ specifications.

The garment industry is essentially dominated by foreign owned firms, mainly from the neighboring countries such as China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Republic of Korea. The association with foreign-owned garments firms or brand names provide Cambodia’s garments industry an important channel into the garments global value chain.

Low-skilled workforce

The garment industry in Cambodia is essentially based on low-skilled, labor-intensive activities. Cambodia has a significant proportion of its population living below the poverty line with low levels of education. As a result, the country has a large pool of low-cost, and low-skilled workers. The vast majority of workers employed in the garment factories are women with minimum skills. Only a small proportion of the workforce includes higher skilled workers and professionals; these are mostly managers, supervisors, or members of the operations department.

Geographical distribution

Over 60 percent of Cambodia’s garment factories are located within or in close proximity to the capital city – Phnom Penh. The finished products are transported from the factories in Phnom Penh by train to the seaport of Sihanoukville where the garments are shipped to other countries.

Other key locations of garment factories are Kompong Som, Kompong Speu, Kompong Cham, Kompong Chhnang, Svay Rieng, Takeav and Kandal provinces.

Advantages of Cambodia

Strategic location

Cambodia is strategically located in the center of the east-west corridor of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), providing access to key world markets. This helps businesses take advantage of low-cost manufacturing in Cambodia as well as huge demand for its products in Asia.

Competitive labor force

Labor in Cambodia is cheaper than most regional competitors, except Laos and Myanmar. In 2017, Cambodia’s monthly minimum wage of workers in its garment industry increased to US$153, a double of the 2012 level. Yet, the country’s monthly minimum wage remains the most competitive when compared to Thailand (US$250) or Vietnam (US$166).

Preferential market access

Cambodia is a member of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) – a regional economic integration pact wherein Cambodia benefits from the Common Effective Preferential Tariff (CEPT) agreement that reduces or eliminates tariffs on the manufactured goods traded between the 10 ASEAN member countries. The rapidly integrating ASEAN makes Cambodia an attractive investment destination because of its low-cost manufacturing, large regional markets and easier sourcing of raw material within the ASEAN Economic Community.

Cambodia has also been a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) since 2004; this has increased its trade integration with the US and the EU. Cambodia benefits from the EU’s ‘Everything but Arms Scheme’, which allows low developing countries such as Cambodia duty-free access to the EU’s market for all export goods.

Supportive government policies

Some of the many incentives offered by the government of Cambodia include 100 percent foreign equity ownership, tax holidays of up to 9 years, and exemption from import duty on machinery and equipment. In addition to that, Investors can repatriate profit freely and reinvestment of earnings is encouraged with special depreciation allowances

RELATED: Investing in Cambodia’s Phnom Penh

Conclusion

Over the years, Cambodia has had a steady flow of foreign investment in its garment manufacturing industry demonstrating the many opportunities that the country offers to its foreign investors. Though certain challenges remain while doing business in a developing country like Cambodia – such as infrastructural gaps, and high energy costs – the considerable competitive advantages that the country offers cannot be ignored.

The content of this article is for general information purposes only and cannot be used as a substitute for obtaining professional advice where specific circumstances warrant. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Machica Group.  For comments or inquiries, kindly email us at mail@machicagroup.com.

Machica Firm, Inc. is the Philippine member practice of Dezan Shira Asian Alliance (DSA). DSA is the publisher of powerful and widely read Asia Briefing, China Briefing, ASEAN Briefing, India Briefing, and Vietnam Briefing chronicling the latest, most up-to-date business intelligence and industry-specific reports.   Dezan Shira Asian Alliance is ‘Your Partner for Growth in Asia’.

For any query or clarification about the article / news report herein cited, kindly email us at mail@machicagroup.com or message us at facebook.com/MachicaGroup.

By Vasundhara Rastogi

Phnom Penh, once known as the ‘Pearl of Asia’, is the capital and largest city of Cambodia. Located at the confluence of three major rivers –  the Mekong, the Tonle Sap River, and the Bassac River -, the city serves as Cambodia’s major economic, business, and trading destination. Though the city is located 120 miles away from the sea, its proximity to the Mekong river valley makes it an ideal port – connecting the landlocked region to the South China Sea via Vietnam by the Hau Giang channel of the Mekong Delta. Phnom Penh is home to 1.5 million people, and serves as a major global and domestic tourist destination in Cambodia. Khmer, the most popular and official language of the country is the main language; English and French are also widely spoken.

 RELATED: Pre-Investment and Market Entry Advisory from Dezan Shira & Associates

Regional connectivity

Since the end of Cambodia’s civil war in 1975, the city has undergone rapid development in terms of infrastructure. The city has four main national highways and three rail lines that connect it to the main seaport at Sihanoukville (also known as Kâmpóng Saôm). The highways radiates out to other parts of Cambodia and its neighboring countries – Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos.

Phnom Penh International Airport is well connected with popular cities in the region, such as Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City and regional hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong. Domestically, too, it is well connected – Phnom Penh has direct and frequent flights to Siem Reap, the main tourist gateway to the ancient Khmer ruins of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Special Economic Zones

Cambodia’s economy has grown remarkably in the past few years, with an annual growth rate averaging more than 7 percent between 2012 and 2016. This growth has been largely driven by its ability to provide low-cost, labor-intensive manufacturing – especially in the garment, footwear, and food-products sectors in its well established special economic zones (SEZs). The country houses around 30 SEZs that provide preferential incentives to investors and offer government import-export administrative support to facilitate trade. The main SEZ in Phnom Penh as well as the most developed SEZ in Cambodia is the Phnom Penh SEZ (PPSEZ). The PPSEZ currently has an estimated 80 tenants and 15,000 employees. Notable corporations already present in PPSEZ include Coca-Cola, Toyota, and Yamaha.

Some of the key incentives include corporate income tax exemption of up to nine years, exemption from import duty on materials and equipment used in production, investment protection agreements with the world’s leading economies, freedom from price control, as well as free remittance of foreign currency. Besides, export-oriented manufacturers can access preferential treatment under  ASEAN’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to explore Asian markets and increase competitiveness.

Since foreign nationals cannot own land in Cambodia, SEZs offer them an opportunity to develop, or sub-lease plots with up to 50 years of renewable leases. This gives businesses more flexibility in organizing their factory activities over a long period of time.

Manufacturing hub

Phnom Penh’s is the country’s economic center, accounting for a large share of the Cambodian economy. The city, along with its neighboring provinces, serve as the most industrially developed area in the country – in terms of labor force and infrastructure.  Phnom Penh specializes in light labor-intensive industries such as garments and footwear, food and beverage, and consumer products.

The Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (PPSEZ), established in 2006, holds the key to the city’s economic growth and development. The SEZ is strategically located between Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City at the center of the East-West Economic Corridor that links Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar.  The economic zone serves as a manufacturing hub for over 77 export-oriented companies that produce a diverse range of products. These include companies manufacturing mechanical and electrical products, garments and shoes, pharmaceutical products, consumer products, as well as pharmaceutical, packaging, and logistics companies.

RELATED: Import and Export Procedures in Cambodia – Best Practices

Over the years, with the opening up of its economy and a stable political environment, several other industries have mushroomed in Phnom Penh. A number of shopping centers, hotels, and commercial centers have opened up, making real estate a lucrative business in the city. Tourism is also a major contributor in the capital; Phnom Penh is a major tourist destination in the country, along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. Tourism accounts for approximately 18 percent of Cambodia’s economy. Among the most popular tourist areas in Phnom Penh are Tuol Sleng Museum, Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom, and Sisowath Quay, alongside the Tonle Sap. Sisowath Quay is a long stretch of road that has several restaurants, bars, and hotels establishments.

Phnom Penh is endowed with several advantages for export-oriented manufacturing industries, such as access to cheap workforce, low-cost manufacturing, and its connectivity with several well-established foreign markets. These factors along with infrastructure development, FTAs with fast-growing economies, and its strategic location in the heart of Southeast Asia – continue to create opportunities for businesses in the region.

The content of this article is for general information purposes only and cannot be used as a substitute for obtaining professional advice where specific circumstances warrant. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Machica Group.  For comments or inquiries, kindly email us at mail@machicagroup.com.