Bahrain hosts Gulf Fertilizers Conference2017

Oil Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa today opened the 8th Fertilizers Conference of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Union (GPCA).

The conference is hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain for the first time on September 26-28, titled "New Beginnings: Back to Growth."

Dr. Saad Abu Al-Maati, President of the Arab Fertilizer Union, Dr. Abdulrahman Jawahery, Chairman of Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company, Dr. Abdulwahab Al Saadoon, Secretary General of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Union (GPIC), and a number of dignitaries, all attended the conference.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by a wide range of participants from various countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, China and many Gulf, Arab and European countries. As well as many visitors from a large number of GCC countries and others. In addition to the presence of a large number of experts and a number of speakers specialized in the industry of fertilizers and oil and petrochemical industries.

A number of industrial companies from the Gulf and around the world, as well as, a remarkable presence of engineers interested in the petroleum and petrochemical industry, and a prominent number of scientists and specialized researchers and international institutes interested in the industry fertilizers.

This key event is organized by the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Union (GPCA) in cooperation with Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) and in coordination with the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) and supported by a number of companies specialized in the industry of fertilizers and raw materials around the world. In order to discuss many issues facing the fertilizer industry in the difficult climate. Including the potential impact of new changes in the fertilizer trade market and the key factors behind future growth. In addition, the conference will discuss topics related to how to create a stable environment, re-invent global distribution channels, link innovation, and review the latest technological developments in the region and the world.

Oil Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa welcomed the guests wishing them a good stay in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and expressed his deep thanks and appreciation for selecting the Kingdom of Bahrain for holding this conference and accompanying exhibition. The Kingdom of Bahrain is well-known in organizing conferences, exhibitions and events in the Middle East and the world. He also praised the efforts made by the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Union and the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company in cooperation with the National Oil and Gas Authority, in preparing and organizing this edition in a manner that is commensurate with a good reputation towards the Kingdom of Bahrain in the industry of specialized oil conferences and exhibitions. He expressed his great pleasure in seeing the future leaders of the youth in the activities of this conference and wishing everyone the opportunity to invest in the development and progress of their institutions.

The minister also expressed the keenness of the Kingdom of Bahrain to provide the highest levels of support for such specialized events, which have positive results in supporting the national economy, enhancing the knowledge and development system, promoting the exchange of information, experiences and knowledge sharing, contributing to capacity building, enhancing skills and the promotion of sustainable development in the region.

In his inaugural address, the Minister referred to the support provided by the governments of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to the fertilizer industry and its efforts to overcome the many challenges that this changing market is witnessing, this will ensure stability of this strategic industry. Especially in the face of the dramatic rise in the world's population, which is expected to increase by 6.5 billion to 9.6 billion by 2050.

He added that the huge growth in population and the urgent need to speed up food production is a great opportunity for fertilizer producers in the GCC, which is an important global center for the chemical fertilizer industry. Given the reality of this market, which exports more than 90 percent of its total production from nitrogen fertilizers (ammonia and urea) to the Far East, to contribute to global efforts to address the challenges of food security, by providing effective use of resources. He stressed the need for true strategic partnership and strong cooperation to overcome the challenges facing this vital industry represented by climate change, conflicts and migration in order to continue the path of sustainable development that all seek.

He also stressed that the GCC countries and the Middle East and North Africa region should adopt the vision of the United Nations, the five pillars of which are "individuals", "planet", "prosperity", "partnerships" and "peace" as the framework through which to achieve sustainability. Taking into account the improvement of crops and water management and public health of the soil through the use of balanced and effective fertilizers to increase agricultural production. The minister cited the Bahraini experience in this regard, which is an honor for all. In the adoption of the five principles of the company, which enabled the company to achieve many of the prestigious international awards, which came as a result of the adoption of best practices, and benefit from the support of strategic partners, such as Saudi Basic Industries Corporation and Kuwait Petrochemical Industries Company and the Holding Company for Oil and Gas in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The minister pointed to the promising opportunities witnessed by the GCC market despite the uncertainties in the current market, the fluctuation of oil prices and the slow economic growth. He expressed his confidence in the potential of the region, stressing the ability of the fertilizer industry to improve and create effective food systems through cooperation that will directly benefit the improvement of the local agricultural sector and contribute positively to the GDP of that region.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil, also inaugurated the accompanying exhibition, which was attended by a number of local and international companies specialized in this field. Where he briefed the exhibition on the latest technologies and innovations in the field of chemicals and fertilizer industry, praising the advanced level witnessed by the exhibition, wishing everyone success and achieving the objectives of such specialized events.

Dr. Abdulrahman Jawahery, Chairman of Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC), spoke at the opening session about the great development of the industry in the Arabian Gulf. He pointed out that the Eighth Fertilizer Conference is an essential platform for exchanging knowledge and enhancing communication between regional and global strategic partners and owners. The relationship enables participants to take advantage of insights from CEOs of leading global petrochemical companies. He said that the petrochemical sector in the GCC countries is one of the largest non-oil productive sectors and ranks second in the Gulf economies. He also pointed out that the petrochemical industry is one of the most important industrial manufacturing activities and a major source of petrochemical industries in the world, noting the important roles played by his company in this regard, especially in view of the great growth witnessed by the fertilizer sector in the Gulf region, that witnessed a high growth rates during the recent period.

At the opening session, the CEO of Saudi Mining Company (Ma'aden), Khalid Al-Mudhaifer, delivered a speech that included the company's vision for the future projects of this strategic industry and the importance of future projects in a positive and innovative way. Dr. Abdulwahab Al Saadoun, Secretary General of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Union and Dr. Kang F., Senior Research Officer at the King Abdullah Petroleum Research and Studies Center, also discussed effective strategies for producing fertilizers, contributing to global food security, building a sustainable future, as well as reviewing the most important technological developments in the global fertilizer industry and modernizing production units to control quality and prices and pollution control.

On the sidelines of the conference, a workshop and an exploratory visit were organized to the Industrial Complex of Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) headquarters, which was attended by 30 students from universities in the Arab Gulf countries, aiming to introduce students to the vital role played by the fertilizer industry and the importance of creating future leaders for this promising industry in the Arabian Gulf region.

Moreover, GPIC was established in 2006 and has over 90% of the petrochemical and chemical producers in the region, the first of its kind in the Middle East. The Association held its first annual conference in Dubai in 2010 and the subsequent conferences followed with success, which led in the Kingdom of Bahrain hosting the 8th Fertilizer Conference for the first time.

Source: BNA