Leading Chinese textile maker starts to build huge factory in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Shenzhou International Group Holdings, a leading Chinese clothing manufacturer, on Wednesday broke ground for the construction of a new 150-million-U.S.-dollar garment factory here after operating in the country for 14 years.

Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the factory, dubbed Marvel Garment Co., inside the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone on the western outskirts of Phnom Penh.

Manet said the company's expansion truly reflected its confidence in Cambodia's peace, stability and development.

"Cambodia has become a huge and successful base for the company to produce garments for Nike," he said. "This new investment importantly contributes to helping developing Cambodia's Industrial Development Policy 2015-2025."

Manet, who is also the commander of the Royal Cambodian Army, was confident that with support and incentive provided by the government in combination with the firm's successful experience, the garment maker would continue to grow stronger in years to come.

"The company's success has not only benefited the company itself, but also contributed to boosting Cambodia's economy and creating jobs for Cambodian people," he said.

Ma Jianrong, chairman of Shenzhou International Group Holdings, said the firm had invested in Cambodia since 2005.

"Through 14 years of operation here, we deeply appreciate the supportive policy made by the Cambodian government and the hard work and dedication to jobs by the people in this country," he said.

Sam Ma, an assistant to the general manager of Shenzhou International Group Holdings, said after over a decade in Cambodia, the firm had developed itself into the biggest textile manufacturer in Cambodia, with an export value of 440 million U.S. dollars in 2018 and employing some 11,500 Cambodian workers.

"On this basis, we decided to make full use of the factory's experience in Cambodia to further expand the production capacity and facilities in Cambodia," he said.

He said the 150-million-U.S.-dollar factory is scheduled to be completed in March 2021.

The assistant added that when completed, the factory will create 17,000 jobs.

Nike's Vice President Mark Griffie said Shenzhou has grown to be one of Nike's largest and most important apparel suppliers.

"The first shipment for Nike from Shenzhou Cambodia was in 2007. From that start 12 years ago, our business together in Cambodia has grown tremendously and today more than 3,000 Shenzhou employees in Cambodia produce products for Nike," he said. "The majority of the Nike products manufactured here serve our customers in Europe."

"Cambodia has been an important country for Shenzhou and for Nike," Griffie said. "With the new factory that will be built on this site, we look forward to continued growth together in Cambodia for many years to come."