Phnom Penh, Aug 14 (IANS): The Cambodian government has joined hands with four foreign companies to establish the country's first ever life insurance firm.

Currently, Cambodia has six insurance companies and one re-insurance company - all of whom are general insurers, and none is a life insurer.

The ministry of economy and finance announced a joint venture with the private companies to establish the Cambodia Life Insurance, Mey Vann, director of the ministry's financial industry department, told Xinhua.

The four firms are Indonesia's PT Asuransi, Hong Kong's Asia Insurance and Thailand's Bangkok Life Assurance and Bangkok Insurance Public.

Under the deal, the ministry will hold 51 percent stake and the firms own the remaining 49 percent, the official said.

According to Cambodia's insurance law, it is required to have a minimum capital of $7 million to open an insurance firm in the country.

He said the country's first life insurance company will help develop the financial industry and also support the development of the securities market.