Union Minister for Energy U Ko Ko Lwin received Ms Ma Jia, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, at the Ministry of Energy (Lower Myanmar Office, Sein Lae May) in Yankin Township, Yangon Region, yesterday morning.

During the meeting, the Union minister said that, with advances in technology, oil and natural gas accumulations have been identified more accurately in the Ayeyawady sedimentary basin, the Gulf of Mottama basin, and related offshore areas, leading to increased investment from Thailand. He added that India is also conducting oil and natural gas exploration activities around the Andaman Islands. As the leaders of Myanmar and China have agreed to enhance cooperation in the energy sector, he said that the present period offers a favourable opportunity to expand investment. He also noted that Myanmar is currently strengthening cooperation in offshore oil and gas projects with China, India, Thailand, Russia, and Middle Eastern countries.

The Union minister further said that, as demand for natural gas continues to rise in Myanmar as well as in China and Thailand, Myanmar is seeking cooperation in both technology and capital to increase natural gas production from its offshore blocks. He also discussed boosting production at mature oil and gas projects through the application of technology, a joint project to build a new refinery that will process crude oil supplied via the Myanmar-China crude oil pipeline, the upgrading and construction of oil refineries and fertilizer plants, and the conditions for investment and intergovernmental cooperation between the two countries. The two sides exchanged views openly on these matters.

Relevant officials from the Ministry of Energy and the Chinese Embassy attended the meeting.

MNA/KZL

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