|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 21 December 2004 |
 |
|
 |
World | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Pakistan to host SAARC Energy Ministers' moot in March ISLAMABAD, Monday (Pakistan Times) Pakistan will host the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Energy Minister's moot in Islamabad on March next year. This was agreed in a two-day SAARC Energy Experts Group meeting concluded, says a press release said. Secretary Petroleum and Natural Resources, Ahmad Waqar in his address highlighted the importance of the group to foster energy cooperation among the SAARC countries for the mutual benefits. HDIP DG, Hilal A Raza said cooperation among South Asian countries in the field of energy under the umbrella of SAARC would lead to opening up of a number of opportunities for profitable investment and promote trade among the SAARC member countries. The Working Group on Energy prepared a program of its activities for the year 2005 which includes 8 workshops and seminars on the subjects of energy, trade, independent power producers, energy efficiency standards, fuel efficiency in road transport, CNG development, rural electrification, micro-hydro electricity and wind energy, so as to benefit from collective experiences in priority areas. The SAARC Energy Center will work as a catalyst for the economic growth and development of the South Asian region by initiating, coordinating and facilitating regional as well as joint and collective activities in the energy sectors of SAARC countries. It will accelerate the integration of energy strategies within the region through exchange of information, technology and expertise. The Group decided to benefit from the outstanding work of Nepal in using electric battery, rickshaws and solar water heaters as well as the success of Bangladesh in promoting rural cooperative for electricity generation and distribution. The Working Group prepared agenda for the Ministerial Forum of Energy Ministers of SAARC Countries to be hosted by Pakistan on March 17-18 at Islamabad. This will be the first ever such meeting and will approve a detailed road map of long-term cooperation in energy field among SAARC countries in line with aspirations of SAARC leaders embodied in the SAARC Islamabad Declaration. The Working Group approved to seek cooperation between SAARC and ASEAN to learn from ASEAN experiences for cooperation in various energy sectors. A delegation from SAARC member countries will visit ASEAN energy institutions for this purpose.? |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
