Advancing Good Regulatory Practice in Cambodia: ERIA Concludes EV Charging Infrastructure Pilot

Phnom Penh, 17 March 2026: In collaboration with the Council of Jurists and the Ministry of Commerce, ERIA convened a workshop titled'Benefits of Good Regulatory Practice (GRP): Results from the Pilot Project on Battery Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Cambodia.' The project, launched in December 2024 under the ERIA Capacity Building Programme with support from DFAT, aimed to demonstrate the practical application of GRP using EV charging infrastructure as a test case.

In her opening remarks, H.E. Tan Tepikanika, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce, noted that although the Ministry is not the lead agency for EV regulation, it recognises the risks posed by energy constraints and global supply chain vulnerabilities. She emphasised that developing Cambodia's EV ecosystem is a strategic priority for achieving sustainable and resilient growth.

H.E. Sea Mao, Secretary of State of the Council of Jurists (CoJ), reaffirmed the Council's commitment to promoting high-quality legal drafting, reviewing draft laws and sub-decrees, and ensuring coherence and accessibility within the legal framework. He also highlighted the collaboration with ERIA and the Ministry of Commerce as an important milestone in advancing GRP across government institutions.

A key output of the pilot project was a simulated Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) on EV charging infrastructure. The methodology was presented by project lead Mohamad Izahar Mohamad Izham of Zaid Ibrahim & Co, while Ahmad Harith Johari outlined the main findings. This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Mr Jeremy Gross, Director of Mekong Affairs and Capacity Building at ERIA, featuring representatives from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). Panellists shared their experiences in applying GRP principles through the pilot.

A second panel focused on pathways to advance GRP implementation in Cambodia. The discussion brought together senior representatives from the Intellectual Property Association of Cambodia, the Legal Reform Committee, the Royal School of Administration, and the Trade Policy Advisory Board (TPAB). Moderated by Mohamad Izahar Mohamad Izham, the session underscored the importance of sustained, cross-institutional collaboration to strengthen regulatory quality.

The project benefited from the strong support of H.E. Dr. Sea Mao from the outset. H.E. Pich Ang, who led the initiative on behalf of the Royal Government of Cambodia, delivered the closing remarks, summarising key insights and lessons from the project series.