Ten cut-and-sew and garment-washing manufacturers that implemented resource efficiency measures in 2019 and 2020, which is a part of the IFC’s Cambodia Improvement Program (CIP), have reduced their energy and water consumption by 18% and 29% respectively, according to the agency, which lends to companies in developing countries. The CIP aims to boost the garment industry’s competitiveness, productivity, and sustainable growth while helping Cambodia hit its 40 percent greenhouse-gas emissions by 25 percent over 2018 levels. At the same time, a five-year plan of Footwear and Travel Goods Sector Development Strategy (2022-2027) is initiated to transform the country’s production of garments, footwear and travel goods into an environmentally sustainable and high-value-added operation. On the other hand, as stated by IFC Asia Pacific regional director, Rana Karadsheh-Haddad, high energy costs and poor productivity still have caused the negative impacts to the garment industry (Anonymous, 2022).

Reference: Cambodia takes steps to boost competitiveness. (2022). Khmer Times. Retrieved from https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501058045/cambodia-takes-steps-to-boost-competitiveness/