Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - US seeks to produce bicycles in Kingdom, move away from China

US seeks to produce bicycles in Kingdom, move away from China

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
The Kingdom’s exports of bicycles to the US are expected to grow due to US-imposed tariffs on China. Post staff

US seeks to produce bicycles in Kingdom, move away from China

Cambodian exports of bicycles to the US are expected to gain from recent tariffs imposed by the US on China, thanks to several bicycle producers who have unveiled plans to move to the Kingdom, a report from a leading industry portal said.

Bicycle Retailer, the website of Kent International Inc – an American importer and distributor of bicycles and bicycle accessories – plans to move a large share of its production from China to Cambodia in the next few months.

As evidence of this, one of Kent’s major Chinese suppliers is building a new 500,000sq ft (46,452sqm) factory in Cambodia.

Kent CEO Arnold Kamler said the factory will begin shipping bicycles in September next year.

“Assuming the 25 per cent tariff takes effect, the idea is to move essentially all of our production from China to Cambodia,” he said.

After imposing a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese bicycles in September, the tariff is set to increase to 25 per cent in January.

To comply with US Customs’ rules of origin, Kamler said Cambodian parts and labour would make up at least 35 per cent of the value of Kent’s Cambodian bicycles, which will have Cambodia-made frames and forks.

The report said the factory that Kent is working with is in the south, near Phnom Penh.

Besides Kent International, Trek Bicycle Corporation – another US-based bicycle and cycling product manufacturer and distributor – is also reported to have plans to move production of at least 200,000 bicycles from China to Cambodia next year.

Cambodia Chamber of Commerce (CCC) vice-president Lim Heng said on Monday that the US’ decision to increase the tariff on Chinese products could lead some types of production in China slow down.
This, he said, will eventually negatively affect the export of some raw materials from Cambodia to China.

However, he said Cambodia should gain more than it loses as many factories in China, including those that produce bicycles, plan to relocate their production to the Kingdom where the cost of doing business is cheaper, and from where products can be exported duty-free to many major markets.

“We [CCC] have received more contact from investors abroad to know about Cambodia’s investment potential as they want to open their factories here. When they seek to expand their production, they should find Cambodia more interesting,” he said.

US trade data show that Cambodian bicycle exports accounted for $24 million last year. This placed the Kingdom third behind China and Taiwan which exported $874 million and $390 million worth respectively.

Besides the US market, Cambodia became the largest bicycle supplier to the EU last year when it exported more than 1.42 million bicycles – an increase of nine per cent from 1.29 million bicycles in 2016.
Cambodian made bicycles can be exported duty-free into the EU under the blocs Everything But Arms (EBA) programme.

Despite the tariff advantage and lower labour costs, there are challenges for manufacturing in Cambodia as the Kingdom lacks an industry cluster, which means many components must be imported, making it time-consuming and affecting costs.

MOST VIEWED

  • Tensions high ahead of historic Kun Khmer match up

    The long-awaited November 5 matchup between Kun Khmer legend Prum Samnang and Myanmar-Canadian boxer Dave Leduc has become the most anticipated fight of the year. The Wurkz Sena Kun Khmer promotion, which will be held at the Town Arena at Chip Mong 271 Megamall, will see six

  • Manet: Cambodia safe for travel

    Prime Minister Hun Manet acknowledged that Cambodia and China have cooperated to tackle internet scamming, fraud and other cross border crimes, but insisted that the “Kingdom of Wonders” is completely peaceful and safe. He welcomed tourists to come and explore its rich heritage. During a

  • UNESCO formally list Battambang gastronomy

    Battambang, renowned for its cultural heritage, has achieved a significant milestone as the first Cambodian municipality to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). The UCCN unites nearly 300 cities prioritising creativity and cultural industries in local development plans and international cooperation. On World Cities Day,

  • Cambodia pivots to solar, wind energy

    Cambodia is planning a move towards solar and wind energy to meet its rising power demands, according to Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak. On the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week event held recently, Rottanak emphasised the urgency of diversifying Cambodia’s

  • Angkor causeway symbol of Cambodia-Japan ties

    In a historic moment marking another milestone in the 70-year-long diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Japan, King Norodom Sihamoni celebrated the formal inauguration of a causeway located to the west of the world-renowned Angkor Wat. While presiding over the November 4 ceremony, the King emphasised the

  • Manet calls for Cambodia’s railways to get back on track

    Prime Minister Hun Manet has instructed the relevant authorities to expedite studies into upgrades to the Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk railway line. He suggested that the maximum speed on the line should be increased to 80km/h, in order to expedite the transportation of