The Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) is now studying the supply of raw materials in the Kingdom to assess how much more fabric is needed to meet factories’ demand, according to a representative of the organisation.

On Tuesday, nearly 200 containers loaded with fabric for local garment factories arrived at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port (PAS).

GMAC president Van Sou Ieng on Tuesday told The Post it is sending representatives to PAS to determine precisely how much raw material was shipped from China.

“We are going to check how much fabric was sent so that we can know how much more is needed,” he said.

GMAC secretary-general Kaing Monika told The Post on Wednesday that the shipments from China will alleviate the shortage of raw materials besetting local factories.

“We hope the supply will continue to grow. It is unclear exactly how many factories have been forced to stop production,” Monika said.

According to a GMAC press release on Wednesday, 12 more container ships carrying raw materials will arrive at PAS this week.

Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training spokesman Heng Sour said on Tuesday that 50 factories have suspended operations due to shortages of raw materials. Seven are now back in action after the arrival of the containers.

“These shipments may be small, but they help local factories resume production,” Sour said.

PAS director-general Lou Kim Chhun told The Post on Tuesday that four container ships entered the port loaded with raw materials for factories in Cambodia.

He said about 15 ships carrying raw materials will arrive each week. “The plan is to increase the number of shipments of raw materials from China to ease the shortage here.”