RI, Vietnam sign MoUs on gas, coal cooperation

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ignasius Jonan signed on Wednesday two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with visiting Vietnam?s Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh on bilateral cooperation in the utilization of gas in cross-border region, and the use of coal for power plants.

The ministry said in a statement that the signing ceremony, held at the State Palace, was witnessed by President Joko Widodo and Secretary General of Vietnam?s Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong.

?The objective of the signing of the MoUs is to facilitate and increase bilateral cooperation in the area of gas utilization in cross-border region and the use of coal for power plants,? Jonan said in the statement.

The statement said that the signing of the MoUs followed the 7th Indonesia ? Vietnam Joint Commission on Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation (JC-ESTC) meeting in Hanoi on August 12.

The JC-ESTC concluded among others that both sides will facilitate and support companies from each country in implementing joint cooperation projects in oil and gas exploration and exploitation, and seek new opportunities particularly in the Tuna Project in the Natuna Sea, the statement said.

?Both sides also realize the increasing demand of coal for power plants. Indonesia welcomes Vietnam companies to import coal from Indonesia and invest in the Indonesian coal mining sector,? Jonan said.

The MoU envisages among others various joint studies relating to the proposed utilization of gas in the cross-border region, and promoting investment in the Indonesian coal sector.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak