WLPGA calls for promoting green fuel, policy support

International experts have urged Bangladesh to promote innovation and best practices in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as environment-friendly green fuel.

“Innovation is key for the sustainable development. The government should promote the innovations as well as have to share the best practices,” said James Rockall, managing director of World LPG Association (WLPGA) while addressing session of Asia Regional Summit in Dhaka on Wednesday.

WLPGA organised the conference at International Convention City (ICCB) in the capital to connect businesses with latest innovations across the world. Some 40 exhibitors from 30 country participated in the exhibition.

Bashundhara LP Gas is ‘platinum partner and venue host’ of the global event.

In his speech, Rockall of WLPGA applauded the growing market of LPG in Bangladesh as people became more conscious on environment and health issues.

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) chairman Nurul Amin was the chief guest while LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) President Azam J Chowdhury was special guest on the occasion.

In his speech, BERC chairman Nurul Amin said that over 4 million LPG consumers are contributing for protecting environment by reducing deforestation.

“Operators should raise social awareness and benefits of the LPG as the authorities are supporting innovations for mass well being,”

In his speech, Azam J Chowdhury said that current consumption of LPG in Bangladesh around 1.5 million which can be multifold in next three years if the operators will get policy support.

“Bangladesh is the fastest growing market of LPG in South Asia. People are moving to clean fuel. There is huge scope for foreigners to extend multi-lateral cooperation to tap potentials of the growing market,” he said.

WLPGA director David, Fire Service and Civil Defense former director general Ali Ahmed Khan, LOAB secretary general Muhammad Ahsanul Jabbar and Omera Petroleum chief executive officer Tanzeem Chowdhury were also present on the occasion.

After opening ceremony, separate seminar on LPG as clean energy fuel for cooking in South Asia held. WLPGA deputy managing director Michael Kelly moderated the discussion. Bashundhara LP Gas chief operating officer MM Jasim Uddin, Beximco IOC chief executive officer Mustasir Alam and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) LPG executive director Sailendra Kurumaddali were present in the panel discussion. Bashundhara LP Gas head of division (Strategy and PR) Jakaria Jalal made a keynote on the occasion.

Citing example of India, Bashundhara LP Gas chief operating officer MM Jasim Uddin said that our neighbouring country gives subsidy for liquefied petroleum gas as clean fuel.

“We dint want subsidy now. The industry needs policy support to grow the sector. We hope, the LPG industry will grow further tapping more investment from home and abroad,” he said.

In his presentation, Engineer Jakaria Jalal claimed that LPG is dominating markets in South Asia as the green fuel.

“In South Asia, around 91 percent LPG consumption is for cooking. The ratio is 85 percent for Bangladesh. All companies now meet 29 percent of total demand of LPG in the market. It is high time for investing in LPG industry in Bangladesh,” he said.

WLPGA is the authoritative voice of the global LPG industry representing the full LPG value chain across the world.