Li Dongliang’s story is emblematic of the perilous situation facing a sector critical to Myanmar’s economy, which accounts for a third of its exports and employs 700,000 low-income workers, according to U.N. data.
“We would have no choice but to give up on Myanmar if there are no new orders in the next few months,” said Li, adding he has been operating at about 20% capacity, surviving only on orders placed before the coup, and had already shed 400 staff.
Li said he and many of his peers were considering moving to other low-cost garment hubs like China, Cambodia or Vietnam, as big fashion brands like H&M and Primark have stopped trading with Myanmar due to the coup.
