The Cambodian government has cooperated with the private sector to generate more than 10,000 jobs for the first part of 2006, local media reported on Monday.

From January to now, another 11,845 Cambodians have gained employment abroad and in 26 new factories at home, Business Press quoted officials of the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy as saying, bringing the total number of employed citizens to about 3. 55 million.

Cambodians are working in foreign countries such as South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand.

Of the new factories, 21 produce garments and shoes. Two others process animal feed and the three remaining make plastic, paint products and cement, the officials said.

About 3.31 million Cambodians had jobs in 2005, 27,500 more than in 2004.

Source: Xinhua