Speaking of Canada, HE Dr. Al-Sada said the progress of export projects in the western parts of the country will depend on building the required infrastructure and lining up the commercial arrangements and other resources needed to bring their gas to the market. “However, the most ironic of developments has taken place in Europe, where natural gas consumption fell by 3.6 percent last year. And despite strong energy and climate change policies, Europe’s coal imports rocketed by 23 percent. This was because many utilities across the continent shut down their modern gas-fired plants, and began burning cheaper coal instead.” Al-Sada pinpointed Asia as “the place behind most of the growth in the global energy demand.” He said: “Thanks to a robust economic growth and an increasing population, Asian economies are not just demanding more energy, but also cleaner and more flexible energy.” The International Energy Agency describes China as “the main driver of increasing energy demand in the current decade,” but it expects India to take over in the 2020′s as the principal source of growth, HE the minister said. “Both China and India are expanding their LNG receiving capacities and gas pipeline networks, paving the way for increased imports over the coming years,” he added. Concluding his remarks, HE Dr. Al-Sada said the conference is an opportunity to exchange views and gather information about the latest technological advancements within the LPG industry.