PHNOM PENH: The Representatives of Toyota (Cambodia) have requested the Minister of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) to examine the possibility of cooperating with the Ministry of Economy and Finance to reduce import duties on hybrid cars, which will help reduce fuel consumption and emissions, as well as work towards achieving the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

At a meeting on Tuesday, 11 October, at the MPWT office, the CEO of Toyota (Cambodia), Ryoji Fujita, requested the Ministry to examine the possibility of cooperating with the Ministry of Economy and Finance to reduce import duties on hybrid cars. He said that the purpose of this proposal is to encourage Cambodians to switch to driving hybrid vehicles to reduce fuel consumption and emissions, which will contribute to helping Cambodia achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

In response, the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Senior Minister Sun Chanthol, said that support in easing import duties, especially in the case of the hybrid cars mentioned by Toyota, is possible only if the Ministry requests to discuss this matter with the Ministry of Economy and Finance first.

However, Senior Minister Sun Chanthol welcomed and thanked Toyota for setting up a car assembly plant in Cambodia and contributing to the creation of jobs to reduce poverty and also promoting the automotive sector in Cambodia to a higher level.

The Senior Minister also highlighted the efforts made to promote the widespread use of electric vehicles in Cambodia to reduce environmental pollution. These efforts include the installation of electric vehicle charging stations across the capital and the increased encouragement to the general public to switch to using electric vehicles, while seeking cooperation with private companies to promote the installation of more charging stations across the country.

Toyota (Cambodia) is the exclusive importer and distributor of all Toyota vehicles, spare parts, and services in the Kingdom of Cambodia. Since entering into operation in Cambodia in 1993, the company has opened five branches across the country and continues to constantly improve and provide quality products and services to customers.