Enter a Gap-owned store in the United States or in Europe these days and you are more likely to see clothes produced in… Myanmar.
In a year’s time, Gap Inc. has nearly tripled production at its two South Korean factories in Yangon, the Irrawaddy reported.
Garment workers at the factories make clothes for Gap brands Old Navy and Banana Republic. The vests, jackets and pants are shipped off and then sold in the United States, the European Union and Asia, according to the Irrawaddy.
The magazine quoted Debbie Mesloh, Gap’s director of government and public affairs, who told reporters in Yangon on Thursday that “we’re approaching three times as much outerwear” since Gap began sourcing from the factories in 2014. Back then, it became the first US retailer to enter the market after the easing of most sanctions against Myanmar.
The garment industry is relatively new and small compared to other countries in the region. As yet, it still doesn’t have a minimum wage.
Photo: Wikicommons
