Stress laid on strengthening coop among South Asian countries

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FE Report
Speakers at a function Tuesday stressed the need for strengthening cooperation among the South Asian countries in the renewable energy sector.
They were speaking at the function on "South Asia Renewable Energy Forum 2012" at a city hotel.
The programme was arranged on the occasion of three-day visit of nine companies and three associations of Korea in Bangladesh to explore business opportunities in the renewable energy sector here.
Agriculture Secretary Monzur Hossain was the chief guest at the function, which was addressed, among others, by Korean Ambassador in Dhaka Lee Yun-Young.
Representatives of Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC), Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL), Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and the Korean firms, and development partners from Pakistan and India made presentations on renewable energy prospects and potentials in their own institutions and countries.
Mr Monzur said, "We are now energy hungry. Demand for energy is increasing fast but the sources of energy are very limited."
Terming energy 'very important', he hoped, "The programme will open a new frontier of cooperation among the countries in the renewable energy sector."
Later, members of the Korean companies and associations took part in one-to-one business meetings with interested Bangladeshi companies.
The Korean firms include S-Power, Super Solar, Hanvit DNS, SESS Co Ltd., Kum Hwa, Dae Jin Battery, BJ Power, S&I Co and DS Power.
Representatives from Korea New Renewable Energy Association, Korea Photovoltaic Industry Association, Korea Electronics Technology Institute, Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and Ministry of Knowledge Economy also attended the programme.
Main purpose of the Korean firms' visit is to explore opportunities and forge relationships with potential local partners for the development of specific projects and marketing of products and services in the renewable energy sector in Bangladesh and South Asia, officials said.