PHNOM PENH: Cambodia exported US$2,941 million worth of garment, footwear and travel products to international markets in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, up 20 percent from US$2,449 million in the same period last year, said a report from the General Department of Customs and Excise.

From January to March, the export of apparel and textiles was valued at US$2,167 million, a year-on-year increase by 23 percent from US$1,759 million, it added.

Footwear export earned US$346.3 million, up 6.9 percent from US$323.7 million, while travel goods export bagged in US$427.9 million, up 16.6 percent from US$366.7 million, the source pointed out.

Cambodian Footwear Association President Mr. Ly Khun Thai said that peace, political stability and open economy policy along with the government’s support to investors have attracted new investment, new garment factories, creating jobs for local people and contributing to boosting the national economic growth.

“In the earlier period of this year, Cambodia’s textile and garment industry has been doing well compared to the same period in the previous year as factories have geared up their productions amid growing purchase orders from foreign buyers,” he said.

The United States and the European Union are Cambodia’s largest export markets for textiles, garments, footwear and travel goods.

The garment, textile, footwear and travel goods industry is the biggest foreign exchange earner for the Southeast Asian country.

The sector currently consists of roughly 1,300 factories and branches, employing nearly 900,000 workers, mostly female.