Minister of Mines and Energy Suy Sem on Wednesday called on distributors and consumers of electronics and appliances to support Cambodian manufacturers by purchasing locally-made products.

Sem made the call during the annual meeting of the Electricity Authority of Cambodia in Phnom Penh.

“The Ministry is encouraging the use of locally-made electrical appliances. We also ask producers to work on the quality of their products and set reasonable prices that can compete with imported goods,” he said.

The ministry’s General Department of Energy director-general Victor Jona told The Post on Wednesday that Cambodian companies manufacture power lines and voltage generators, but that most other electrical equipment is imported from neighbouring countries.

“We encourage Cambodians to support local production to help create jobs and contribute to poverty reduction,” he said.

Nov Rithy, the sales engineering director of VP.Start Technology Co Ltd, a local electrical equipment manufacturer, told The Post on Wednesday that he believes the government’s request will help boost his company’s sales.

VP.Start Technology produces GSM products for electric motors. The company’s products sell well in the local market, he said.

Cambodia imported more than $18 million worth of electrical equipment from January to September last year, according to a report from the National Bank of Cambodia.

The country mainly imports electrical equipment from China, Vietnam and Thailand, including auto parts and kitchen equipment.