Coaltrans Asia is being held June 6-8, 2004 at the Westin resort, Nusa Dua Bali. The conference will address the major issues and topics confronting the Asian coal markets including issues around coal industry ownership in the region, freight rates, and China’s future role.

Uncertainty of exports over both thermal and metallurgical coals remains the big quandary for the Asian and world seaborne trading coal markets. Last year, China exported a record 93Mt, representing a 7Mt increase over 2002 export volumes. What seems increasing likely is that exports will be curtailed in order to secure supplies for internal electricity generation, following the power shortages that were experienced in 2003. Around 84% of Chinese electricity is generated by coal-fired plants.

Indonesia’s coal industry has, since Coaltrans Asia 2003, consolidated ownership structures resulting in nearly 70% being controlled by five companies. Record production of nearly 120Mt is predicted this year by the Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI). This represents a 9% increase over 2002, and nearly 17% more than in 2001. Over 30% of Indonesia’s production services the growing domestic coal market.

The revival prospects for the IPP generation sector in many Asian countries, such as Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia, are providing new outlets for Asian coal producers.

The stellar and unexpected rise in freight rates in 2003 has added completely new fundamentals to the economics of delivering coal. Will the phenomenal freight rates continue, and what are the new hedging instruments being employed in the shipping markets today?

Regarding Asian Derivative Markets will the fledgling interest now being shown in Asia for paper markets accelerate? Will the trading and financial tools be adopted in Asia in the same manner and volumes as has happened in the power and fuel sectors in Europe and North America?

The Keynote session looks at developments in the Indonesian coal industry. Included in this session are:

H. E. Dr Purnomo Yusgiantoro,,Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Department of Energy & Mineral Resources discusses INDONESIAN ENERGY POLICY DEVELOPMENTS.

Ari Hudaya, President Director, Bumi Resources, outlines BUMI RESOURCES’ COAL MINING EXPANSION PLANS

Graeme Robertson, Commissioner, PT Adaro talks on INDONESIAN COAL – A ROAD MAP

Further information may be obtained from www.coaltrans.com/asia