Garment Industry Productivity Center - Cambodia

USAID-GIPC brought Washington DC trade attorney and textile trade expert Brenda Jacobs to Phnom Penh to update garment makers, government and union leaders, on competitiveness and the trade agenda in the United States.  Over 150 participants met at the Intercontinental Hotel on September 14, 2006, to get the latest insights on free trade for Cambodia, Vietnam’s WTO status, and the strategies US buyers are pursuing.

USAID Mission Director Erin Soto opened the meeting, reflecting on US priorities for aid and the need for cooperation among Cambodia’s factories, labor, and government to maintain a strong industry.  In addition, GIPC Chief Technical Advisor Heinz Reich and client factories described how they have implemented GIPC’s recommendations and the productivity gains, as much as 30% on sewing lines converted to time study and production controls.