"EVN HCM City hopes to have opportunities to co-operate with Korean bidders in our planned projects." — VNS Photo Huy Hung

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — A seminar to strengthen co-operation between the electrical industries of Korea and Viet Nam was held in HCM City yesterday with around 45 firms from the two countries taking part.

The attending Korean firms specialise in manufacturing and distribution of electrical equipment like alternators, diesel generators, gas turbines, power capacitors, capacitor banks and harmonic filter banks, polymer insulators, and transformers.

Speaking at the seminar, Sang Hyup Park, general director of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in HCM City, said in 1961, at the start of South Korea's economic development, its electricity generation capacity had been less than 240th of the current figure and transmission and distribution capacities, less than a sixth and 49th of current-day figures.

Transmission and distribution loss was around 23 per cent in 1961, and the country had worked to pull that down to just 3.73 per cent in 2013, the lowest rate in the world, he said.

"The Vietnamese Government has paid great attention to and invested in the development of the electrical industry, which plays the most important role in economic development.

"At the same time, Viet Nam has carried out diversified projects to raise electricity generating capacity to 60,000MW by 2020."

The seminar provided a good platform for businesses from the two sides to exchange information and seek closer co-operation in the field, he said.

A seminar to strengthen co-operation between the electrical industries of Korea and Viet Nam was held in HCM City yesterday

Park Sang-Suh of the Korea Electric Power Corporation said with its technological advantages, Korea could contribute to the development of Viet Nam's electricity industry and help improve its electricity network.

Nguyen Thanh Nhan, director of international relations and cooperation at EVN Power Generation Corporation 3, said the company was seeking co-operation in existing as well as future projects.

It also planned to transform from a State-owned enterprise to a highly competitive joint stock company in 2016, he said.

It was involved in attracting strategic investors for future projects, revamping its administration and improving its capacity, he said.

Vu Hoai Nam, deputy director of EVN's planning department in HCM City, which is in charge of management, distribution and sales of electricity in the city, spoke about its procurement methods and steps involved in the signing of international contracts.

It was preparing to organise bidding for nine projects this year starting in the second quarter, including the 220kV District 8 substation and 110kV Tham Luong substation.

"EVN HCM City hopes to have opportunities to co-operate with Korean bidders in our planned projects."

Tran Tien Duc, chairman of Binh Son Electric Corporation, which distributes electrical equipment from the EU, said he came to the seminar to learn more about new partners and products from Korea, adding, "I'll study carefully to diversify our supply sources." — VNS