The Voice of Alejandro Martínez Villegas – President of Gasnova
The Voice spoke with Alejandro Martínez Villegas, President of GASNOVA to hear his thoughts and goals for GASNOVA.
The Voice: Please could you tell us about GASNOVA and its key activities?
Alejandro Martínez Villegas: GASNOVA gathers distribution companies that represent 76% of the Colombian market. Our strategic plan comprehends three main areas of work: (i) market growth (supply and demand), (ii) sector formalisation and best practices and (iii) strategic communications. So, for example, we are working on a proposal of a new LPG state policy, consumption subsidies in Congress for poor people, a new set of technical standards for autogas and a social media communications strategy (e.g. webpage, twitter, Facebook). The bottom line is that we are working in structural issues and very optimistic regarding LPG market growth.
The Voice: Could you tell us a little about your career path to get to get you here?
Alejandro Martínez Villegas: I am a lawyer, specialised in Petroleum Law in Dundee (Scotland). I was Viceminister of Mines and Energy, University professor in petroleum and mining law, member of several directors boards of electricity, mining companies and non-profit organisations, and for 20 years I was president of the oil industry trade association (ACP). So it is a lifetime in the hydrocarbons industry and now I have the opportunity to be in the LPG association in a very exciting moment: I believe there are conditions and opportunities to promote a golden age for LPG investments in Colombia and committed to make it happen.
The Voice: And what about the main opportunities for GASNOVA today?
Alejandro Martínez Villegas: Colombia is in a turning point regarding LPG growth. Government is working, with great interest, in promoting a new set of incentives for LPG market in Colombia. There are several studies undergoing (e.g. market supply, demand coverage improvement, climate change strategies) that we expect are going to inform a new set of policies and structural regulations that government will propose in the next months. All of it means that we have an unique opportunity to add value, to provide well structured and supported proposals to decision makers in order to incentivised LPG industry growth.
The Voice: What benefits do you see as being a member of the WLPGA? How do you envisage working together with us?
Alejandro Martínez Villegas: Being a member of the WLPGA provides information exchange, access to the publications, information about events, seminars and congress about LPG, networking between members and many other benefits that strengthen GASNOVA. We ara structuring an alliance with WLPGA and AIGLP to organize together the first GASNOVA LPG congress in Colombia. Being a member of WLPGA is an honor and a great opportunity for creating partnerships for business development.
