Cambodia Investment Review
The first-ever Cambodia Global Textile Summit concluded last week in Phnom Penh, marking a significant milestone for the Kingdom’s garment, footwear, and travel goods (GFT) industry. Held on April 2–3 at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, the summit attracted over 470 industry leaders, policymakers, and international experts who came together to discuss the future of Cambodia’s vital GFT sector.
The summit was jointly organised by the Textile, Apparel, Footwear & Travel Goods Association in Cambodia (TAFTAC), the International Labour Organization’s Better Factories Cambodia (BFC), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Co-organisers included EuroCham Cambodia and the Skills Development Fund (SDF), with strong backing from both the public and private sectors.
Government Emphasises Long-Term Strategy
Opening the summit, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training H.E. Heng Sour welcomed delegates, while Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), H.E. Sun Chanthol, delivered keynote remarks highlighting the government’s commitment to sector-wide reform.
“As we work to diversify our economy, the GFT sector will remain a top priority,” H.E. Sun Chanthol said. “Under the Strategic Plan for Developing the Garment Industry (2022–2027) and Cambodia’s Industrial Development Policy (2015–2025), our goal is to upgrade our GFT sector by integrating technology, innovation, and sustainability into production.”
He further stressed that Cambodia aims to enhance its role as a competitive and sustainable player in the global textile supply chain, with a focus on transitioning to higher value-added activities.
Key Topics: Circularity, Supply Chains, and Global Policy
The two-day programme featured eight in-depth panel discussions addressing a wide range of pressing topics, including human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD), vertical integration, supply chain resilience, and international trade dynamics. Discussions highlighted how Cambodia can position itself as a responsible sourcing destination and adapt to the evolving global regulatory landscape.
Representatives from 34 global brands and 150 local and international factories participated, along with experts from eight countries—including the United States, China, Germany, and Italy—who brought global perspectives to the discussions.
International organisations such as the Global Fashion Agenda (GFA) also took part, contributing to dialogue on sustainability and innovation in textile manufacturing. Panels throughout the event reflected a shared interest in aligning with emerging global trends and regulatory expectations.
Focus on Circularity and Digital Wages
The summit’s second day featured parallel sessions exploring textile waste management, circular fashion models, logistics competitiveness, and digital wage systems. One of the highlights was a deep dive into the Circular Fashion Partnership, which aims to foster collaboration between manufacturers, brands, and recyclers to close the loop in textile production.
Participants underscored the importance of working collectively across value chains, with speakers emphasising that change must be both global in ambition and local in implementation.
Collaboration Across Sectors
Supported by key sponsors including Wing Bank, Dakota Group and Companies, and Goldfame Group, the summit facilitated cross-sector collaboration between factories, unions, civil society, and logistics providers. In total, stakeholders from over 30 countries were represented, contributing to a dialogue that reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to sustainable industry development.
The event marked a crucial moment as Cambodia prepares for its upcoming graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. Industry and government leaders alike highlighted the need to strengthen trade relationships, improve labour standards, and embrace innovation to remain globally competitive.
Organisers said the summit has laid a strong foundation for continued engagement between stakeholders to ensure Cambodia’s GFT sector can thrive in a rapidly evolving global market.
