CNG widely used in the Middle East - high conversion rates in Pakistan and Iran

The significant economic benefits that arise from using compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles, have escalated the demand for its adoption in the automotive industry in the Middle East.

Several representatives from countries that own the largest fleet of automotives operating on CNG, visited Automechanika Middle East in 2007, as shown in the table below.

Country/ Number of companies that visited from the country / Number of natural gas vehicle/ Number of refuelling stations

Iran 600 263,662 179
Pakistan 200 1,550,000 1606
India 180 334,820 321
Egypt 75 73000 108

Source: International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles (IANGV)

Automechanika Middle East will be held from the 1 - 3 June, 2008 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre in UAE.

The exhibition is for rapidly developing automotive aftermarket in the wider Middle East and Africa. The forthcoming event will feature a dedicated section for exhibitors, seeking for an opportunity to showcase the latest innovations and technologies in the CNG market.

As the world embraces CNG as an environment-friendly fuel alternative for soaring oil prices, natural gas is expected to be at the core of the next wave that will boost economic progress in the Middle East.

According to the recent findings by the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles (IANGV): government and private organizations in Egypt, Iran, United Arab Emirates and other oil rich regions are designing programs to considerably cut down on the consumption of gasoline and diesel, with natural gas as a substitute. The estimate points to as many as a million natural gas powered vehicles in the Middle East by the end of 2010.

Eckhard Pruy, the CEO of EPOC Messe Frankfurt, organizer of Automechanika Middle East, states that, "With a mounting population and increasing urbanization, the market in the Gulf States for conversion to CNG is just emerging, which marks an apt time for experts and leaders of the field to enter and capitalize on the enormous potential that this region holds for them".
Leading industry experts recently stated that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the prime international location to demonstrate the future of energy to the whole world. It was said that "The UAE has all the necessary drivers for renewable energy adoption from fast growing cities and infrastructure to a successful diversified economy."

Michael Dehn, the senior show manager of Automechanika Middle East, adds "The central location of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) serves as an ideal gateway to the Middle East, Africa, the sub-Continent and the CIS states. The value of trade in motor vehicles and automotive components in Dubai will continue to grow substantially during the coming years, and will reach US$15.5 billion by the end of 2007. The worthy location serves as the perfect platform for a highly appealing show such as Automechanika Middle East".

The growing interest in the region for converting vehicles to facilitate the use of CNG, will be showcased in the upcoming Automechanika Middle East. Huge participation is expected by professional representatives to source the most recent developments and technologies.