The minister made the suggestion during an online working session on Tuesday with Tania Constable, Chief Executive Officer at Minerals Council of Australia, and leading coal and mineral exporters of Australia.

He also noted that the Governments of the two countries have agreed to set up dialogue mechanisms at ministerial level on trade, energy and minerals.

Regarding coal, Minister Dien said Vietnam wants to import from 18-25 million tons of coal for electricity and fertilizer production in 2022. He asked Australian coal exporters, especially members of the Minerals Council of Australia to increase supply for Vietnam right in April.

According to Dien, Vietnam’s coal import needs account for less than 5 percent of Australia’s total coal export. Therefore, he believed that Australian exporters are capable of supplying coal of suitable quality for Vietnam’s electricity generation.

The minister also asked the Minerals Council of Australia, the Australian Embassy in Vietnam and ministries of Australia to continue coordinating with his ministry to more effectively support efforts to connect and building long-term partnership of leading enterprises in coal and minerals of the two countries.

The CEO of Minerals Council of Australia said Australia is fully capable of supplying coal and minerals for Vietnam.  She affirmed that the council will work closely with the Vietnamese ministry to bolster cooperation between their enterprises in coal supply and technology transfer in coal and mineral mining.

At the session, the two sides also discussed in details the demand and regulations on coal and mineral export and import. Leading Australian exporters such as BHP, Glencore, Yancoal, Whitehaven Coal, Jellinbah Group engaged in talks with four leading Vietnamese coal importers – Vinacomin, PetroVietnam, Electricity of Vietnam and Dong Bac Corporation – on possibilities of cooperation in the time ahead.