14 December 2023, Ho Chi Minh City – 22 delegates, under the support of the Switch Garment project, including CGTI, garment manufacturers and representatives of the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, Ministry of Mine and Energy and SG team members, were in Vietnam for an exposure visit. Switch Garment is funded by the European Union SWITCH-Asia Grant Programme and implemented by GGGI, Geres and Textile, Apparel, Footwear & Travel Goods Association in Cambodia (TAFTAC).
During the exposure visit, government officials, garment industries, and project consortium partners experienced and visited success stories within similar geographical contexts. The team was shown technical solutions to reduce CO2 emissions at the site, including energy consumption at the factory level and understanding how the business environment, especially Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), and regulatory measures can support factories in achieving greater sustainability and efficiency.
Mr. Ly Tek Heng, Executive Manager of TAFTAC, said, “This exposure visit was more than an intellectual exercise. It connects me with other stakeholders who have made progress in garment factory’s decarbonization. I leave this visit determined to develop a deeper understanding and contribute to the decarbonization of garment factories in Cambodia and share the best practices with TAFTAC members.”
Took place in Ho Chin Minh City and the Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu and Tây Ninh provinces, the team visited a solar PV manufacturer, a wood pellet and textile manufacturers followed by the workshops with local stakeholders such as manufacturers and ESCO to gain more insight into energy efficiency and share lessons learnt while hearing some tips and suggestions that can be considered for Cambodia. For instance, the Vietnam Textile & Apparel Association (VITAS) shared practical lessons about greening Vietnam’s textile and garment industry, including sustainable development orientation for enterprises.
Mr. Som Lady said, HRA & Compliance Manager of a factory in Switch Garment project, said, “From what I had seen on this trip, sustainability isn’t just a cost, but a driver for progress. I also noticed that the success of decarbonization comes from the collaboration from business owners and the support from the government. I am glad to gain a number of good insights and best practices from both the specialists and the factory here”.
Patrick Renaud, Geres Cambodia Country Representative, said, “Understanding the example of Vietnam was crucial to discern the outcomes of the combination of an effective regulatory environment, a robust biomass value chain, and an industry that is adapting to the commitments made to decarbonize the industry, as well as to meet consumer demands. With this in mind, we understood more about the importance of the multi-stakeholder approach. “This exposure tour has been a powerful reminder that the path to energy efficiency is paved with collaboration from all actors: from buyers to suppliers to policymakers, can come together to achieve remarkable results”.
The exposure visits were concluded with the collaboration exchange of energy efficiency and policy framework for clan production. For instance, a delegation from the H&M group shared the success model of the sustainability program implemented in Vietnam. It will be replicated in their supplier factories in other countries, including Cambodia. The straightforward planning procedure of policy framework and lessons learnt from Vietnam’s Textile and Garment Industry Develops Sustainably Towards Circular Economy are two main propositions to be considered, addressed by the chairman of Vietnam Environmental Industry Association (VEIA) – Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT). The trip was from 11 to 14 December, and Vietnam was selected, considering its geographical context and market share in the global textile business.