VIENTIANE TIMES/ANN: Local clothing manufacturers are encountering ongoing hurdles to survive and thrive, according to the Association of the Lao Garment Industry.
Customers want quality products and the manufacturers hold little power to bargain as their costs rise while the prices received remain constant, the association’s president Xaybandith Rasphone pointed out at the eighth general assembly of the association in Vientiane last week.
Shortage of skilled labour is a chronic problem in the sector resulting in the reduction of garment exports, he said, adding there was little balance between labour and the orders.
However, the association will strive to expand the garment sector by cooperating with the relevant departments of the government and boosting exchanges with garment entrepreneurs in the region.
Advantageous position
The local industry is in an advantageous position in terms of investment and marketing compared to some Asean countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar, the association reported.
The Vietnamese government has ordered a stop to the expansion of its garment industry and shifted investment to the technology sector, while Myanmar has a problem with high electricity tariffs.
In 2015, Laos had 92 garment factories with just 78 now remaining. Seven of these are owned by Lao business people, seven are joint ventures and the remainder are owned by overseas interests.
The Japanese are large investors in the garment sector, followed by Thai nationals. Currently, a total of 50 factories are members of the association with 40 manufacturing exclusively for export and six catering to the domestic market as well as exports.
Those factories employed 26,000 people at the beginning of this year with women comprising 90 per cent of the workforce and 0.5 per cent foreigners.
Most of the foreign employees are in the administration and technical divisions, especially those from Thailand, Japan, China, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.
Laos’ garment exports hit $174.23 million in 2016, down by 7.25 per cent compared to 2014.
The main export markets are the EU, Japan, the US and Canada.
Korean, Chinese, Australian and New Zealand markets are still small despite Laos receiving trade preference as compared to China and the Asean market.
Laos is unable to compete due to a lack of raw materials within the country and the high transportation costs with no direct sea routes.
At the meeting, members of the association also selected a new board.
The ceremony was attended by Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry vice president Daovone Phachanthavong and Department of Industry and Handicraft director-general Manohack Rasachack.
