Myanmar apparel industry is expecting rapid export growth this year due to increasing demand for export orders from Japan and South Korea.
Export orders for Myanmar clothing from Japan doubled from US$ 170 million in 2010 to US$ 350 million in 2011, vice-president of the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association, Mr. U Aung Win told The Myanmar Times.
Similarly, the export orders from South Korea surged from US$ 120 million to US$ 240 million during 2010 to 2011, he added.
He said the statistics for 2012 are yet to be released, but the Myanmar garment industry is confident that the export earnings could at least match with the figures of 2011.
According to Mr. Win, due to the increase in export orders there will be an increase in the number of apparel manufacturing units and by 2015 there will be 700 new factories that will create more than 100,000 new employment opportunities in the country.
He mentioned that around 50 garment factories are likely to come up in Pathein township of Ayeyarwady region, which is close to capital Yangon.
The first of the expected 50 apparel manufacturing units is likely to go operational in May 2013. It is being set up by Delta Industrial Group.
Setting up garment factories in Pathein will get benefit of good transportation and port facilities for export and import of products.
