Cambodia-U.S garment deal

Cambodia-U.S garment deal

PHNOM PENH (Reuters): Cambodia and the United States have
reached agreement on levels of Cambodian garment exports to the
United States and on the need for Cambodia to ensure proper
working conditions in factories, officials said on Thursday.

Leaders of the two delegations hailed the deal shortly after
it was signed late on Wednesday.

"I think we have an agreement that is fair, an agreement that
will be a cornerstone for future trade relations," said Donald
Johnson chief textile negotiator for the U.S. Trade
Representative.

Under the three-year agreement the United States has imposed
quotas on 12 categories of garments including blouses and shirts
and cotton sweaters.

The only quota-free garment categories are now dresses,
pajamas, women's suits and synthetic-fiber apparel, the officials
said.