More than 115 new factories were registered during the first nine months of the year, creating over 50,000 jobs, according to data from the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft. The garment sector saw the greatest increase, with 63 new factories being created, though it saw six shutter operations, An additional 16 processed metal factories and 15 rubber- and plastic-processing plants were created as well. As of the end of September, total factories in Cambodia numbered at 1,692, providing a total of 972,900 jobs. Kaing Monika, secretary-general of Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC), said that while GMAC membership had not greatly increased, the value of exports had grown at a significant rate of about 7% since last year. (Source: Phnom Penh Post)