PHNOM PENH, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's total imports of diesel fuel, gasoline, and combustion gas dropped 12.3 percent in the first nine months of 2025, a Ministry of Commerce report showed on Wednesday.
The value of diesel fuel, gasoline and combustion gas imports amounted to 1.84 billion U.S. dollars during the January-September period this year, down 12.3 percent from 2.1 billion dollars over the same period last year, the report said.
The kingdom spent 992.5 million dollars for importing diesel fuel, down 11.8 percent; 592.5 million dollars for gasoline, down 18 percent; and 255 million dollars on combustion gas, up 2.8 percent, the report added.
Thong Mengdavid, a lecturer at the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy of the Royal University of Phnom Penh, said the decline in Cambodia's fuel imports suggested easing global oil prices, enhanced energy efficiency, and the growing role of renewable energy and hydropower in domestic consumption.
"Reduced imports also reflect slower industrial fuel demand amid moderate growth in construction and logistics sectors," he told Xinhua.
"Looking ahead, Cambodia's energy security strategy, through diversification of energy sources and regional power connectivity, could further reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, aligning with its green growth goals," Mengdavid added.
Currently, the Southeast Asian country entirely depends on the imports of oil and gas as its seabed's oil reserves have not been exploited yet. ■
