ASEAN signs power accord

ASEAN signs power accord

JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed in Denpasar, Bali, yesterday to promote the interconnection of power transmission within the organization's seven member countries.

The agreement was stipulated in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed during the 12th meeting of the association's energy forum.

The Public Information Section of the ASEAN Secretariat said in a statement that the MoU also covered the promotion of the role of the private sector in the power development in the region through investment and joint venture establishments.

Other aspects of the energy cooperation contained in the umbrella agreement included standardization of power equipment and cooperation in joint development and utilization of energy resources.

The forum, formally called the Forum of the Heads of ASEAN Power Utilities and Authorities, also agreed to hold their next meeting in Malaysia.

The three-day annual meeting, which will be closed today, is attended by representatives of power utilities and authorities of the ASEAN members -- Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.(hen)