AKP Phnom Penh, October 7, 2026 --

Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet said Cambodia has so far spent nearly US$500 million to help reducing the impact of rising fuel and electricity prices, stressing that the Royal Government must remain prepared to address challenges under all circumstances.

Addressing the celebration of the 80th founding anniversary of the University of Health Science in Phnom Penh on Wednesday morning, the Prime Minister said the Royal Government’s measures to cushion fuel prices have helped prevent a much sharper increase in fuel costs for consumers.

“If we had not allocated the budget and effective measures to contain the increase, fuel prices could have risen by 9 to 10 percent over the current prices,” he said, adding that fuel prices have indeed increased, but the Royal Government has taken measures to mitigate the impact on the public.

Samdech Thipadei explained that the funds used for such measures came from State budget revenues collected through customs, reflecting the Royal Government’s efforts to use available fiscal resources to protect the economy and the population from external shocks.

The Premier noted that Cambodia is facing multiple challenges at the same time, including the impacts of the Middle East’s crisis, border conflicts and natural disasters such as flooding.

Looking ahead to 2027, Samdech Thipadei called for continued preparedness, saying that Cambodia should be ready for potential adverse developments rather than wait until crises occur.
“We hope that the worst will not come, but we must prepare in advance,” he said.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of continuously assessing global challenges.

By Heng Panha