The Kingdom’s total exports under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) during the first half of this year accounted $6.2 billion from $5.3 billion in the same period last year.

This is a 15 per cent increase, with most products destined for the European Union (EU), said data from the Ministry of Commerce.

Seang Thay, a Ministry of Commerce spokesman, said attractive investment policies and an influx of investors were driving production growth and, in turn, exports.

“Over the past two years, after we received GSP for travel goods, the number of factories making bags and suitcases in Cambodia has increased by about 60,” he said.

The big buyers

Ministry of Commerce secretary of state Ork Boung said at an event on Wednesday that goods exported from the country included garments, shoes, bags, rubber, milled rice, cassava and other agricultural products.

They were exported to the EU, US, Canada, Japan, China and Asean markets. More than $11 billion in goods were exported from the Kingdom under the GSP last year.