28^th March, 2019

         EXPERT Group Meeting on Energy of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sector Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) was held on 28^th March, 2019 at Shwe Nandaw Hotel, Nay Pyi Taw.

        To this meeting, H.E. U Win Khaing, Minister for Ministry of Electricity and Energy (MOEE), Dr. Tun Naing, Deputy Minister for MOEE, U Tin Maung Oo, Permanent Secretary, and heads from departments, officials from BIMSTEC secretariat, representatives from BIMSTEC member countries, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand and representatives from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, Ministry of Industry have attended.

        First, H.E. Union Minister U Win Khaing revealed that Myanmar is taking a leading role on energy sector under the BIMSTEC program. Socio-economic conditions of the people in the region depend not only on economic development but also on the correct management of natural resources. Energy sufficiency is the priority work of all and it is time to change natural environment by laying down policy for using clean energy on limited energy resources. Only with close cooperation, can there be sustainable development. General projects for renewable energy sector and for effective and beneficial energy sector need to be upgraded step by step. The aims are to raise power sufficiency through mutual cooperation among member countries, increase connectivity and unification and control usage and sharing of natural resources to acquire electricity and promote the momentum of energy sector development. MOU for Establishment of the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection could be signed in the 4^th BIMSTEC Summit Meeting held on 31.8.2018 in Nepal because of deeply co-operation between BIMSTEC member countries. In this 4^th meeting, it was agreed that the development plan of BIMSTEC member countries to co-operate in energy sector and to form experts group in government to promote cooperation in hydropower, renewable energy and other energy sectors. Today Expert Group Meeting is the first step for expanding energy trading sector within member countries. Myanmar government had setup strategies and work processes for Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan 2018-2030 in accordance with the United Nations Framework on Sustainable Development Goals. Although 30% of households of the whole country were supplied electricity a few years ago, 44% of households are being supplied today. In the end of 2019, 50% of households will be supplied electricity. MOEE is planning and executing to supply electricity the whole country in 2030. It is major portion to successfully implement electricity trading between member countries by BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection Coordination Committee – BGICC) and Master Plan Study and operationalization of BIMSTEC Energy Center. It was strongly believed that a firm success will be achieved among the member countries within these two-day meeting.

        Then, Director U Han Thein Kyaw expressed words of thanks on behalf of BIMSTEC Secretary General and the attended persons took a time for photo session.

        After that, the attended persons discussed about the Interconnection for Regional/ Aspect from MOEE, cooperation progress between member countries and the exposure of the continuing and promoting ways, the executing process by MOU for Establishment of the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection. The meeting will be continued on 29^th March.