Heads of Uzbek, Vietnamese Oil Companies Discuss Cooperation

Text of report by Uzbek privately-owned newspaper Biznes-Vestnik Vostoka on 25 September

The chairman of the Uzbekneftegaz [Uzbek oil and gas] national holding company, Ulugbek Sultonov, has received a delegation led by the president of Petrovietnam [Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group], Tran Ngoc Canh.

Representatives of Petrovietnam visited Uzbekistan in the past, before expressing interest in developing bilateral dialogue.

An agreement on cooperation between the Uzbekneftegaz national holding company and the Petrovietnam Vietnamese oil and gas company was signed on 21 August 2008.

The possibility of carrying out exploration work with Petrovietnam in Uzbekistan and studying Palaeozoic layers in the Buxoro-Xiva region were discussed during the visit. As one of the fields of promising partnership, the sides considered the possibility of setting up a joint venture for prospecting for minerals and providing services in Uzbekistan and Vietnam, as well as in third countries as may be agreed.

The sides agreed to settle these issues and prepare relevant documents during future meetings.

A protocol of the meeting was signed following the talks.

Originally published by Biznes-Vestnik Vostoka, Tashkent, in Russian 25 Sep 08 p 9.

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