DUSHANBE, November 25, 2008, Asia-Plus — Deputy Energy and Industries Minister, Zarobiddin Fayzulloyev is attending a two-day India-CIS Hydrocarbon Roundtable Meeting that opened in New Delhi, India today.
The source at the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI) said that the meeting had brought together senior energy officials and policy makers from India, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to discuss issues related to expansion of cooperation issues.
The two-day event, organized by India’s Ministry of petroleum and Natural Gas in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, has been inaugurated by Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora.
In the meantime, India’s BJP reported on November 24 that Russian Energy Minister Sergey Shmatko is the chief guest of the India-CIS Hydrocarbon roundtable, which also sees participation from energy minister of Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
As per government figures, Central Asia, including Russia, now account for 15 percent of oil exports and over 27 percent of gas exports. The estimated oil reserves is about 9 percent of the world’s total.
But its main hydrocarbon asset is natural gas, accounting for nearly 30 percent of proven gas reserves in the planet.
According to officials, the aims of the roundtable are to explore possibility of equity investment in the region by Indian companies, but also look at participation in the India’s exploration industry too, especially the annual auction of hydrocarbon assets, BJP reported. Besides, as India is aiming to become a refining hub, discussions on investment in these sectors will also be held, along with possible collaborations in third countries.
