The garment value chain has often been a driver of early export-led industrialisation for both developed and developing countries. Myanmar is benefitting from an investment boom in the garment sector, thanks to the lifting of trade sanctions and global buyers and transnational agents searching for new low cost production countries. This has resulted in fast-growing exports to global markets, job creation for up to 300,000 workers and initiatives to improve competitiveness and social upgrading in the industry. This paper analyses the dynamics of Myanmar’s participation in the apparel global value chain and proposes policy recommendations to support economic upgrading, and social and environmental sustainability for the industry.
Written by Samah El-Shahat, Violante di Canossa