AKP Phnom Penh, March 17, 2026 -- Cambodia’s Ministry of Commerce and the Textile, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods Association in Cambodia (TAFTAC) held talks today on sustaining export growth and addressing challenges facing the garment sector amid global uncertainty.

Cambodian Commerce Minister H.E. Mrs. Cham Nimul met TAFTAC Chairman Enjoy Ho and his delegation in Phnom Penh, welcoming the association’s new leadership and reaffirming the Royal Government’s support for the industry, the ministry said.

Both sides exchanged views on measures to tackle issues affecting textile and garment exports, as Cambodia prepares for its graduation from Least Developed Country status in 2029, a transition expected to reshape trade preferences and market access.

Ho expressed appreciation for the Ministry’s continued cooperation in promoting exports across the garment, apparel, footwear, travel goods and bag industries, which remain a cornerstone of the country’s economy.

The garment, footwear and travel goods (GFT) sector is Cambodia’s largest foreign exchange earner, accounting for about 50 percent of total exports.

Cambodia had 1,876 garment factories in 2025, up 19 percent from 1,566 a year earlier, according to an official report. GFT exports rose 15.7 percent year-on-year to US$15.52 billion in 2025 from US$13.5 billion in 2024.

By Chea Vannak