'Govt-pvt sector partnership can promote use of CNG'

They said compressed natural gas (CNG) is the best alternative to diesel and petrol as it could reduce harmful emissions from vehicles and industries.

The first two-day workshop on Asia-Pacific Natural Gas Vehicles Industry Development began in the Philippines capital of Manila yesterday, co-hosted by the Department of Energy of the Philippines, Korean Gas Corporation (Kogas) and the Better Air Quality 2003 Committee.

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The workshop is a part of the Better Air Quality 2003 Workshop to be held on December 17-19, organised by the Clean Air Initiatives with the assistance of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Air quality experts, representatives of alternative energy producers, government officials and journalists from 22 countries gathered in the workshop to share their experiences and ideas on the use of CNG and other alternative fuels in their countries.

As the countries across the world have recently started switching over to CNG vehicles, they should adopt proper rules and safety regulations, the speakers said.

Otherwise, this transition may not yield the expected results, they added.

They also suggested using the appropriate and quality conversion kit and exhausts in the vehicles and industries to contain hazardous emissions.

The participants also called for safety measures as the inappropriate and faulty conversion system may cause dangerous accidents like explosions and fire.

Addressing the workshop, President of AFV Consulting LLC of USA WH Bill McGlinchey appreciated the current development related to alternative use of fuel in Bangladesh. McGlinchey visited Bangladesh recently.

Talking to The Daily Star, McGlinchey said it is a very good sign that Bangladesh has developed its alternative fuel sector. But it should adopt a slow but steady process to build its natural gas related infrastructure instead of doing something overnight, he added.