Minister of Commerce Cham Prasidh has gone to the United States to ask for duty-free

access to US markets, seen as crucial for the health of Cambodia's garment industry.

The US imposes a tariff on Cambodian garment exports of 17 to 20 percent. A bill

is before Congress to extend to 15 least-developed countries the duty-free already

approved for Africa.

Cambodia had high operating costs, and duty-free access would help it to compete

with other exporters such as China and Vietnam, Commerce Secretary of State Mao Thura

is reported to have said.