U.S. Co-sponsors Conference On Power
Sector In South Asia
March 20, 2007
NEW DELHI –A two-day conference of energy
experts from the U.S. and Asia on “Investment
Opportunities in the South Asian Power Sector” began
here today. The conference is jointly organized by
the U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID), the Federation of Indian Chambers of
Commerce and Industry and the South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.
Emphasizing the
economic potential of regional energy cooperation, a
USAID representative at the conference said, “An
additional $1.7 billion (Rupees 7,480 crores) per
year could be earned by cross border trade in South
Asia if the projects under discussion at this
conference are realized.”
A number of
cross-border trade projects that aim to eliminate
power shortages throughout the South and Central
Asian region will be discussed. Power shortages are
recognized as the leading constraint to economic
growth throughout South Asia.
Sushilkumar
Shinde, Minister of Power, Government of India spoke
at the inaugural session. Samuel Bodman, Secretary
of the U.S. Department of Energy, will participate
in the second day of the conference.
This conference
continues the efforts of USAID’s South Asia Regional
Initiative for Energy (SARI/E) program to promote
competitive commercial practices and market
structures in South Asian countries and to foster
trade and investment in the energy sector.
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