Cambodia and Singapore have committed to further cooperation in enhancing the vocational and employment skills of the Kingdom’s workforce, according to officials at the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training.

Ministry undersecretary of state Ngoy Rith said on November 23 that a meeting between outgoing Singapore ambassador to Cambodia Michael Tan and labour minister Ith Sam Heng highlighted the positive results that had come from close cooperation in the past.

“Both parties showed great pride in the cooperation between the two countries in improving employment and vocational training. When the agreement with Singapore started, we sent 1,100 Cambodian workers there, and now there are 818 workers working there,” he said.

Rith said Cambodia had in the past sent teachers and student to attend workshops in the city-state to improve their job skills. Cambodia and Singapore have also worked together on worker safety and health issues, he said, adding that Singapore was able to provide crucial experience for Cambodian workers.

Sam Heng also praised the progress of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Singapore under Tan’s nearly five-year tenure as ambassador. He said Tan had contributed significantly to the development of Cambodia.

The minister urged Singapore to continue to work with Cambodia on technical and vocational training, calling the field essential in the Kingdom’s quest for qualified human resources. Singapore has played a pivotal role in supporting this improvement, he added.

“Cambodia has good reasons to continue its cooperation with Singapore and we hope that Singapore will share more of its experience with Cambodia,” he said.

Tan responded that he would take this request to the Singapore government. He also praised the Cambodian workforce, noting that local trainees enjoyed studying about the workplace and developing their vocation skills.