(VNF) - According to Trade Commissioner of the Australian Embassy in Vietnam, Shannon Leahy, energy is one of the key sectors driving Vietnam - Australia bilateral trade.

The Australian Ambassador to Vietnam addressing the meeting

The statement was made by Leahy at the Vietnam-Australia Energy Roundtable 2018, organized by the Australian Government in coordination with the Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade on May 22.

At the meeting, the two sides share both Government and industry experiences in meeting energy development needs and challenges.

The Vietnamese side briefed the Australian delegations on the Government’s priorities, major energy projects in the country as well as cooperation prospect.

The Australian side, for their part, shared with the Vietnamese side on Australia’s expertise and capability in coal, particularly clean coal, infrastructure, consultancy, project management and technology, and innovation in renewable energy to Vietnamese government officials and representatives of relevant businesses.

According to reports from Australian delegates, Australia has good experiences in developing a fine energy supply chain with advanced solutions for coal, gas and renewable energy, as well as in running and regulating the energy market. Australia with its huge reserves of mineral and energy resources is a world-leading producer of coal, gold, iron ore and uranium, and will soon be the world’s largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exporter.

Meanwhile, in Vietnam’s power development plan, coal holds the dominant position in the energy industry and exceeds the supply capabilities of Vietnam’s domestic coal industry. The need for cheap and reliable energy to fuel economic growth means that coal will remain an important part of the energy mix for Vietnam going forward.

Therefore, the strengths and experiences of Australia can meet Vietnam’s needs to ensure sustainable development of its energy industry, particularly the coal industry.

Earlier, an Australian Energy delegation, including Australian government officials as well as leading engineering, procurement and construction contractors, technical and equipment suppliers, coal suppliers and end-to-end project management and commercial consulting companies, has arrived in Vietnam to seek opportunity of energy cooperation with local partners, and participated in the event./.

( VNF )