High-level Cambodia delegates attended the Thirteenth IMF-Japan High-Level Tax Conference for Asian Countries, co-hosted by the Government of Japan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which was convened in Tokyo on April 25-26. 

The gathering, which was attended by leaders and specialists from the fiscal fields from 21 countries, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), focused on a series of discussions addressing emerging global tax challenges.

The event was opened with welcoming remarks from Kenji Okamura, IMF deputy managing director, and Shuichi Hosoda, Japan’s deputy assistant Minister of Finance. Both men stressed the importance of global cooperation in addressing tax challenges heightened by economic and digital transformations.

Across the two-day event, the delegates discussed a wide range of pivotal issues. 

These included the complexities of tax trends in Asia due to rising expenditures, the impacts of international tax issues on local fiscal policies, and the challenges posed by the OECD’s Second Pillar of the Inclusive Framework on International Fiscal Administration. 

“Other significant topics included the need for effective taxation of high-income individuals, carbon pricing strategies in light of global climate change, and the overarching impact of digitalisation and artificial intelligence,” said a press release from the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s General Department of Taxation (GDT).

A highlight of the conference was a presentation by the Cambodian delegation, led by Seng Cheaseth, director of the GDT's Department of Law, Tax Policy, and International Tax Cooperation. 

Cheaseth was cited as saying “We participated in two critical presentations. The first detailed the implementation of revenue generation strategies, showcasing how Cambodia has adapted its fiscal policies to bolster revenue amidst rising national expenditures”.

The session provided insights into the strategic measures that are being undertaken to ensure sustainable economic growth through enhanced revenue collection.

The release explained that the second presentation, delivered by a representative from the GDT, focused on the practical implementation of these strategies within the Cambodian context, while adhering to the policy direction set by the Kingdom’s government. 

It highlighted the successful implementation of the Strategic Plan 2019-2023, as well as ongoing efforts under the Strategic Plan 2024-2028, which are aimed at establishing a respected and trusted tax administration. 

This session emphasised the importance of governance and accountability in building tax skills, noting their importance for effective fiscal policy and tax administration.

The insights shared by the Cambodian delegation were particularly noteworthy, as they underscored the importance of strategic planning and implementation in fiscal management. 

Ruud De Mooij, Deputy Director of Fiscal Affairs Department, wrapped up the event, offering his appreciation to each of the participants for the fruitful discussions and collaborative spirit demonstrated throughout the conference.