Japan to provide $ 2 bln in energy aid to Asia

MANILA, Jan 5 (Reuters) Japan will provide energy-related aid amounting to about MANILA, Jan 5 (Reuters) Japan will provide energy-related aid amounting to about $2 billion to Asian neighbours over the next three years, a proposal seen by Reuters on Friday showed.

The document, outlining Japan's initiatives to be announced at a summit of Asian nations next week, said the aid would be provided for ''the eradication of energy poverty''.

The summit, to be held from Jan. 13-15 on the central Philippine city of Cebu, will be attended by Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

''The Philippines intends to tap the fund for its different programmes in energy, particularly biofuels,'' a Philippine government official, who requested not to be named, told Reuters.

Among other initiatives to promote clean energy, Japan will train 1,000 Asians over the next five years in energy conservation and establish an Asia Energy Conservation Centre, the document said.

It will also train 500 others in biomass energy and establish a centre for the clean use of coal.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

REUTERS DKS BD1731 billion to Asian neighbours over the next three years, a proposal seen by Reuters on Friday showed.

The document, outlining Japan's initiatives to be announced at a summit of Asian nations next week, said the aid would be provided for ''the eradication of energy poverty''.

The summit, to be held from Jan. 13-15 on the central Philippine city of Cebu, will be attended by Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

''The Philippines intends to tap the fund for its different programmes in energy, particularly biofuels,'' a Philippine government official, who requested not to be named, told Reuters.

Among other initiatives to promote clean energy, Japan will train 1,000 Asians over the next five years in energy conservation and establish an Asia Energy Conservation Centre, the document said.

It will also train 500 others in biomass energy and establish a centre for the clean use of coal.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

REUTERS DKS BD1731