13th Annual GPCA Forum to address theme of ‘Executing transformation and investing in growth’

For the first time the forum will be inaugurated by H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil, Kingdom of Bahrain, with Yousef Al-Benyan, Vice Chairman and CEO, SABIC and Chairman, GPCA, set to deliver the opening session and welcome address, and keynote speaker Amin Nasser, President and CEO, Saudi Aramco.

Other speakers include Musabbeh Al-Kaabi, CEO, Petroleum and Petrochemicals, Mubadala; Mutlaq H. Al-Morished, CEO, TASNEE, and global chemical CEOs – Mark Lashier, President and CEO, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company; Daniele Ferrari, CEO, Versalis and Steven Demetriou, Chairman and CEO, Jacobs Engineering.

To prepare for the next wave of global growth and the challenges of a changing business environment, senior industry leaders will converge at the 13th Annual GPCA Forum to network, exchange best practices and examine strategies, case studies and the steps required to enhance their transformational journeys.

A seminar on the Circular Economy and four masterclass sessions dedicated to digitisation – opportunities and challenges from introducing new technologies; cybersecurity; women in industry; and ‘The global chemical industry in an era of protectionism’ will provide delegates with an exclusive opportunity to gain insight into the latest challenges and trends facing the industry and what is the best way to address them.

H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa commented: “In an ever-changing world fraught with uncertainty and turbulent market conditions, the most important principle every company should adopt is the principle of change. But with change comes transformation, and it is this transformation that will determine a company’s success for many years to come.

“I am extremely pleased to see GPCA building on last year’s theme and focusing on ‘Executing transformation and investing in growth’. This year’s forum provides the perfect opportunity to accelerate collaboration with industry leaders and seek out investment opportunities across the entire value chain. It also brings to the forefront practical means to this transformation, and an opportunity to share knowledge in an effective way forward.”

Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA, added: “Global demand for chemicals is going to remain strong, driven by growing world population, improving living standards, demographic changes and expanding middle-class, particularly in developing economies in Africa and Asia. To ensure a steady and sustainable supply of high value chemicals to the world, the GCC industry must invest in innovative technologies, intensify the move towards consolidation to build critical mass, and integrate its refinery and petrochemical operations to maximise the value of the crude oil barrel.”

“Another important imperative that requires the industry’s attention is addressing the sustainability challenges of today’s modern society. That is why, this year’s Annual GPCA Forum is bringing a greater focus on the circular economy and its interface with sustainability in corporate planning as both governments and industry worldwide unite their efforts to reduce the amount of waste created and shift to a “closed loop” economic and industry model.”

The forum will also host the 9th edition of GPCA’s Leaders of Tomorrow programme, a platform that provides university and college students engaged in science, technology, engineering and mathematics an opportunity to learn through close interaction with industry leaders.

The Annual GPCA Forum is the biggest and highest profile gathering of chemical industry leaders in the Arabian Gulf, consistently attracting over 2000 delegates from almost 600 companies in over 50 countries. The forum is increasingly becoming the focal point for decision making – not just in the region, but worldwide, and a mainstay on the calendar for senior industry leaders, experts and decision makers globally.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/petrochemicals/03082018/13th-annual-gpca-forum-to-address-theme-of-executing-transformation-and-investing-in-growth/