ASEAN coal forum kicks off in Quang Ninh

The ASEAN Forum on Coal 13 (AFOC 13) opened in Ha Long city in the northeast province of Quang Ninh on May 14^th.

Addressing the event, Nguyen Ngoc Co, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Coal and Mineral Corporation (Vinacomin), said that Vietnam’s demand for coal and natural minerals encouraged Vietnam and Vinacomin to seek capital and technology from local and foreign organisations.

Vinacomin gives high priority to ASEAN countries in the cooperation, Co said.

Participants at the forum also exchanged information on the respective coal industries across ASEAN, ways to match supply and demand in the region, clean coal technology and environmental concerns.

Ideas to improve coal quality, cooperation between the AFOC with regional partners and cooperation orientations within the bloc were also discussed.

The AFOC 13, an annual activity within the cooperation framework among ASEAN countries on energy, includes the meeting of the appraisal committee on ASEAN Coal awards and the plenary meeting of the AFOC 13./.