BRICS' meeting on energy efficiency begins tomorrow

BRICS nations will chalk out a plan for enhancing cooperation in energy efficiency when they meet at Visakhapatnam for a two-day deliberation starting tomorrow.
India, a member of BRICS, will also showcase its efforts in energy saving, energy efficiency, particularly the LED street lighting programme and PAT (Performance Achievement & Trade) programme for industrial energy efficiency.
"The first meeting of the BRICS Working Group on 'Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency' will be held at Visakhapatnam during July 4-5, 2016. Participation from all BRICS countries, viz., Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa has been confirmed," a statement from power ministry said.

According to the statement, during the deliberations, the BRICS countries will make presentations on measures taken by them in the field of energy saving and energy efficiency.
The Working Group on Energy Saving & Energy Efficiency will deliberate on a plan on development of cooperation in energy saving and energy efficiency within BRICS, it said.
India has assumed the BRICS chair for 2016 and will accordingly shape and steer the BRICS agenda.

Consequently, the power ministry will host the meeting of the Working Group and will also showcase energy saving initiatives in the country.
On November 20, 2015, BRICS energy ministers signed a Memorandum of Mutual Understanding in energy saving and energy efficiency in Moscow.

Further, participation from over 1,000 business delegates
from all BRICS countries is expected in the day long business forum meet.
The vice president of New Development Bank and the senior team will join this forum and share ideas on how the private sector can support its efforts to promote sustainable development projects across BRICS countries.
BRICS Business Council will hold focused seminars and workshops concurrent with the fair.
The seven working groups in the areas of infrastructure, manufacturing, financial services, energy, skills development, agribusiness and deregulation that have been formed under the aegis of the Council will engage to better understand the market opportunities and build synergies.

"Through the various programmes that will be held, it is expected that many suggestions would emerge to take forward and implement the action plan contained in the BRICS strategy for economic partnership," the commerce ministry said.