Chart *: US apparel and footwear imports from Cambodia (red), Vietnam (navy) and India (grey dashed), monthly, January ****–May ****. The middle strip shows the January-May year-on-year change. Cambodia**;s gains against India**;s contraction are the clearest signal in this comparison set in a decade.
Source: TexPro (Fibre*Fashion)
Cost and supply chain: A competitive, predictable cost position
Cambodia**;s cost position is competitive and, more importantly, predictable. The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training set the **** minimum wage for garment, footwear and travel-goods workers at $*** per month, effective January *, ****. That is broadly in line with Vietnam**;s Region, minimum wage of about $*** per month under Decree ***/****. Bangladesh**;s ready-made garment wage floor remains lower at BDT **,*** (~$***) per month. Cambodia**;s advantage is therefore not the base wage alone. It also includes a lighter employer social burden, a dollarised economy and stable tripartite wage-setting.
