An overview of the meeting (Photo: VNA) The Vietnamese official briefed the Lao PM on the outcomesof his visit to Laos, during which he held talks with leaders of the LaoMinistry of Energy and Mines and Ministry of Industry and Commerce on measures to promote cooperation in industry, energy, mining, trade, andinvestment between the two countries.
In his talks with the Lao Minister of Energy and Mines,the two sides agreed on measures to be proposed to high-ranking leaders of the twosides to remove difficulties and facilitate bilateral energy partnership, hesaid.
Highlighting that Vietnam’s demand for electricity is likelyto double in 2030, Dien said that the Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has signed 19power purchase deals to buy electricity from 26 hydropowerplants of Laos with a total capacity of 2,689 MW, equivalent to 89.6% of thetotal electricity trade capacity following commitments until 2025.
The official affirmed that early in the second quarter of thisyear, the price framework for power purchase from Laos after 2025 will beofficially issued.
With the good progress of major power transmission projects,the two ministers agreed to proposed to the two PMs to enhance the increaseelectricity import capacity to Vietnam to 5,000MW by 2025, create favourableconditions for investors in source development and transmission system development,and approve post-2025 projects in a timely manner, he said.
Regarding mining, Minister Dien pointed to the urgent need tolower coal prices exported from Lao to Vietnam to at least the world price for highercompetitiveness.
The Vietnamese minister also reported to the Lao PM on anumber of measures to speed up some power projects.
Over trade cooperation, Minister Dien noted that Vietnam -Laos trade turnover has reached only 1.65 billion USD, equal to 10% ofLaos's total foreign trade and 0.2% of Vietnam's total, which is far belowpotential and special relationship between the two countries.
He said that in order to promote trade partnership, he andhis Lao counterpart agreed on specific measures to implement commitments andagreements reached by leaders of the two sides, and review, adjust, andsupplement the Hanoi Agreement 2007 and the Vietnam-Laos Border Trade Agreementto suit the new situation.
Dien said that his ministry is willing to support Laos in ensuring petrol supply.
Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone asked the three ministries toactively exchange information and share experience.
Regarding power trade, he stressed that Laos willdrastically supervise power projects to ensure their process and the supply of electricityfollowing signed agreements.
The Lao leader suggested Vietnam issue a power purchaseprice framework at an early date, with the price not lower than that before2025 at 6.95 cents./.
Dien said that his ministry is willing to support Laos in ensuring petrol supply.
Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone asked the three ministries toactively exchange information and share experience.
Regarding power trade, he stressed that Laos willdrastically supervise power projects to ensure their process and the supply of electricityfollowing signed agreements.
The Lao leader suggested Vietnam issue a power purchaseprice framework at an early date, with the price not lower than that before2025 at 6.95 cents./.
VNA
