Vietnam, Indonesia boost economic, energy cooperation

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and Indonesia boast huge potentials in energy collaboration, Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Ibnu Hadi highlighted at a conference held in Hanoi on June 16.

The event drew the participation of numerous Indonesian coal exporters and Vietnamese importers.

In the first four months of the year, Indonesia shipped more than 1.5 million tonnes of coal to Vietnam, he said, adding that the country will export at least 4.5 million tonnes of coal to its ASEAN peer.

The Indonesia Embassy in Vietnam will work to promote the connection between energy businesses from the two countries to ensure sufficient supply, he stressed.

Regarding the coal demand of the Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), a representative from the group said that coal-fired power accounts for 30 percent of the total electricity generated nationwide of 42,000 MW.

Before 2016, most thermoelectricity plants used domestic coals, however, the need for imported coals has shot up due to the development of thermoelectricity.

In 2016, the country bought 680,000 tonnes of coal from foreign countries, the figures expected to rise to 4.7 million tonnes in 2017, 11 million tonnes in 2020 and 19 million tonnes in 2025.

On the occasion, businesses from both countries exchanged experience and discussed measures to boost cooperation.

Two-way trade stood at 5.5 billion USD in 2016 and both sides are targeting 6 billion USD in 2017.-VNA