16^th   February, 2019

          H.E. Union Minister U Win Khaing for MOEE met with Laos Minister of Energy and Mines H.E. Dr. Khammany Inthirath at the Luang Prabang View Hotel, Luang Prabang, Laos, to discuss about increasement on bilateral cooperation in electrical sector.

A  Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Myanmar-Laos electrical sector cooperation was signed on 15^th  January 2018 and as per this MoU, a joint committee and a working committee made up of representatives from the two countries were reviewing on cross border electricity purchases and sales, technology exchanges and investment opportunities. Prior to the ministerial level meeting on cooperation, high ranking officials from the two countries were conducting meetings of Myanmar-Laos cooperation committee and working committee in electrical sector.

At the Ministerial Level Meeting, discussions at the joint committee and working committee meetings, constructing a cross-border power line to purchase and sell electricity, exchanging experiences on hydropower electricity production, reducing damages and the impact on the natural environment and water resources, conducting technology exchanges and preliminary studies through cooperation of experts from the two countries, and exchanging information on electrical sector investments were discussed again friendshiply.

During the trip, Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister visited the construction site at the Xayaburi hydropower station in Xayaburi Province, Laos accompanying  by Laos Minister of Energy and Mines H.E. Dr. Khammany Inthirath. The hydropower project is being built on Mekong river and will produce 1,285 MW of electricity. It is a run-off river type hydropower station, with a Low Head Turbine. Xayaburi Power Company began implementing the project in 2010 and is targeting to start producing electricity in 2019. The project was constructed under the guidelines of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and is a landmark hydropower project in the Mekong River basin.

After the meeting, Union Minister U Win Khaing and party left Luang Prabang, Laos and arrived back Myanmar in the evening.