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)