AEC FEED

The North Sumatra administration is exploring the possibility of teaming up with its counterpart, the provincial government of South Korea’s Jeju Island, to further develop its tourism and renewable energy industries.
North Sumatra Governor Tengku Erry Nuradi said yesterday that his administration plans to adopt an eco-friendly approach to Samosir Island in Toba Lake and Nias Island while promoting tourism.
Both islands are considered as having similarities with Jeju Island.
“We plan to build an eco-friendly floating power plant in Toba Lake because it has been designated as a world tourism destination and Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) Global Geopark,” Erry said in Medan as quoted by kompas.com.
Besides attracting South Korean investment to the power plant project, North Sumatra also expects the East Asian country to contribute to developing the province’s tourism industry as well as skilled labour in the hospitality industry.
During his recent visit to the country, Erry met up with Jeju Island Governor Won Hee Ryong to discuss the potential bilateral cooperation.
Also listed as a Unesco global geopark, South Korea’s biggest island is home to half of all electric vehicles in the country.
“We agree with this renewable energy cooperation and we will carry out research as a follow up to the collaboration between these two provinces,” Won said. |– The Jakarta Post

PVN sees growth in output 
Viet Nam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) exploited 6.45 million tonnes of crude oil in the first quarter of this year, 5 per cent higher than its quarterly plan.
The group said in March, it exploited 2.34 million tonnes, 4.4 per cent higher than its monthly plan.
During the first quarter, it also refined 1.69 million tonnes of petrol and oil, 15.5 per cent higher than its quarterly plan, and produced 447,000 tonnes of urea fertiliser, 9.7 per cent higher than its quarterly plan.
However, PVN is facing its largest difficulties in 15 years from pressure following the reduction of global oil prices due to the oversupply of oil. 
It is also feeling the strain from restructuring the group and adjusting production and business for sustainable development in the future.
To complete its major tasks in the second quarter and the entire year, the group has focused all its resources and solutions on efficiently operating five core businesses, PVN general director Nguyen Vu Truong Son said.
PVN will strictly control activities related to oil and gas, promote implementation of exploration and exploitation in 2017 and give priority to key projects such as the Ca Rong Do oil field and Ca Voi Xanh gas field.
It will continue restructuring the group during 2016-20 under the plan approved by the prime minister, he said.
This year, PVN is striving to exploit 23.81 million tonnes of crude oil and produce 20.1 billion kilowatt hours of commercial electricity, 1.52 million tonnes of urea fertiliser and 6.8 million tonnes of petrol and oil. |— Viet Nam News
 
Tourism promotion deal
The People’s Committee of Haiphong City on Monday signed a deal with flag carrier Vietnam Airlines to promote the northern port city and its people abroad.
Under the agreement, Vietnam Airlines will support the city in implementing its foreign affairs and tourism promotion plans this year. 
Haiphong will join Vietnam Airlines in the carrier’s promotional booths at international tourism fairs in South Korea, France and the United Kingdom.
The airline will invite tour operators from Europe and Northeast Asian countries to visit and learn about Haiphong and its tourism potential, and will promote the city’s image through all its marketing channels.
Haiphong will help the airline develop its business in the city and promote its services to residents.
Last month, Vietnam Airlines concluded an agreement with the People’s Committee of Hanoi to help the city promote its tourism. |— Viet Nam News