The number of garment factories registered in Cambodia reached 1,200 at the end of June, an 8 per cent increase over six months ago, according to data released by the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft.

The report also showed that the garment sector employed 733,300 workers at the end of last month, up from 677,600 at the end of 2013.

“It is a good sign for the industry,” Mean Sophea, undersecretary of state at the ministry, said.

Sophea refused to comment on what the growth rate might mean for the sector following months of unrest after a nationwide minimum wage strike turned violent in January, with five people killed when police opened fire on protesters with live rounds.

However, Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia secretary-general Ken Loo said on Thursday that while there is still interest in the sector, the figures are of registrations only and factory owners were still cautious of investing after the January protest.

‘For our membership, yes it has been increased for sure, year on year, but the rate of increase is slower if you compare this year to last year,” he said.