Iran needs 8,500 technical experts for the implementation of their first phase of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plan worth of $8 billion. Tehran has planned to convert 800,000 vehicles and setting up of 500 CNG station across Iran. Pak-Iran Joint Cooperation in CNG Industry Organising Committee Chairman Malik Khuda Baksh stated this, while talking to Business Recorder on the sidelines of a press briefing here on Thursday.
A high-level Iranian delegation will arrive in Karachi to attend a two-day conference to be jointly organised by Petroleum and Natural Resources Ministry, Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan and CNG Stations Owner Association of Pakistan (CNGSOAP) on November 24 on the topic of "Pak-Iran joint co-operation in development of CNG industry-2004".
"Iran plans to set up 500 Compressed Natural Gas stations and convert 800,000 vehicles in the first phase and hopefully, we can grab a good share in such plan," Malik said, adding that our local entrepreneurs and CNGSOAP had offered sharing of expertise with Iran for setting up of Compressed Natural Gas stations and conversion of vehicles.
Malik said, "We have also planned to set up our own manufacturing plants of Compressed Natural Gas, its dispenser, storage facilities and CNG kits."
We have also negotiated with six companies of international repute based in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Argentine, Italy and the United Kingdom under transfer of technology agreement," he said, adding, "We have also planned to set up such manufacturing plant through potential foreign investors under government's investment scheme."
Presently, about 600 Compressed Natural Gas stations have been set up, while 120 more stations are in advance stage to commence shortly most probably by June 2005. Pakistan becomes second largest CNG user in the world.
So far, Malik said, over 600,000 vehicles have been converted on compressed natural gas across the country.
He said all efforts were made entirely by country's private sector, but the government's incentives in the form of exemptions till June 2005 have helped in further boosting Compressed Natural Gas industry.
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