(Taiwan) Fourth Taiwanese bicycle maker considers move to Cambodia

Bike Europe reported that Cambodia was already the second largest exporter of bicycles to the European Union after Taiwan. Exports almost tripled from a year earlier 519,389 units in the six months to June. Average unit value rose 34 percent to 191 euros in the same period.

The newsletter said the three Taiwanese-owned manufacturers now operating in Cambodia included Atlantic Cycle and its subsidiary A&J set up seven years ago. Smart Tech moved to Cambodia from Vietnam two years ago while the third Taiwanese manufacturer is Worldtec Cycles.

"There is another Taiwanese investor interested in setting up a factory here," Tai Seng Bavet Special Economic Zone official Ly Hua was quoted as saying.

"But no contract was signed yet," Ly reportedly said.

Bike Europe said the duty-free status for bicycles exported from Cambodia saved EU importers 14 percent. In addition, it noted that Cambodia's minimum wages were $61 per month compared with $400 in the bicycle industry in China. Moreover, minimum wages in Thailand have recently been raised to 300 baht ($10) a day.