Garment Industry or Garment Factory - Which One to Use?

I have observed that many use the wrong phrase of above two while they try to mean the other one. Instead of using 'garment factory' individuals use 'garment industry' while communicating.

If you don't know what the correct term is or you have confusion between these two terms and you are also making the same mistake then learn the use of the correct term.

Image via Flickr user ILO 

Talk like a literate person. You must use the right term for both verbal and written communication.

In layman language the basic definition of the above two phrases are as following:

Garment Industry: 

Garment Industry means the garment sector. Used in a bigger perspective. This term is used to mean complete apparel supply chain which includes garment manufacturing units, apparel traders, buyers, retailers and other value-added process units. The garment industry of a country is formed with thousands of garment units.

Garment Factory/Unit: 

A garment factory is a part of the Garment Industry. Simply, a garment factory is single company or business enterprise or a firm. It may be a company with a single factory or company with multiple factories.

Examples:

Incorrect use of 'Garment Industry' term

- I want to start a garment industry. (Actually the person wants to say that he wants to start garment unit/factory.)
- I want to start a small shirt manufacturing industry. (Here again; the person wants to set up a business enterprise or firm for making shirts.)

Correct use of 'Garment Industry'
- I wish to do business in the garment industry then it is okay
- Bangladesh's economy is dependent on Garment Industry.
- The Garment Industry in Myanmar looks set to grow

Correct use ‘Garment Company/Factory’
- I worked in a garment company.
- I am planning to start a garment factory.

I hope next time when you use it, you will use the correct term. 

If you have any questions you can write it in the following comment box.