GPCA in review

The fourth annual forum attracted more than 1100 delegates from all over the globe, including high profile management figures from the world's top dow
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The Fourth Annual Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Forum was held from 8th to 10th December, in Dubai. The theme was “Breaking through the crisis to pursue sustainable growth” and the 2009 forum has been the largest in terms of delegates, attracting more than 1100 participants from all over the world.

All in all, the event was considered a success, especially when compared to other conferences in Europe, America and Asia, which have seen a notable reduction in the number of attendees. 

The GPCA had its biggest year ever, with attendees citing it as the best forum for networking and securing new business opportunities. “It represents an excellent opportunity for networking, compared to other events around the world where the same people attend every year,” said Mehdi Adib, vice president, projects at the Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem).

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The GPCA also delivered an interesting insight and local perspective into the industry at large, with a focus on how the regional players were integrating sustainability into their growth agenda.

Major petrochemical producers from the region and from across the world were present in the exhibitors hall. Included were SABIC, Tasnee and Sipchem from Saudi Arabia, all of which attracted many visitors due to the attractive propositions these new titans of the industry now offer.

The UAE’s Borouge also exhibited, along with Kuwait’s Equate and Petrochemicals Industries Company (PIC). Qapco from Qatar and GPIC from Bahrain were present, as well as major international producers like Dow Chemical and ExxonMobil from the US and Lyondellbasell from Germany.

Mohamed Al-Mady, chairman of the GPCA and vice chairman and CEO of SABIC, told journalists before the forum’s launch that the association now has 141 members from 20 countries.

He also noted that the recession had strengthened the Middle East’s significance as a petrochemical manufacturing hub, and that conditions had improved significantly in the previous 12 months.

which had seen the global financial system in disarray and the economy deal with a sharp global downturn. “Now, one year later, there is some room for guarded optimism,” Al Mady said.

The SABIC CEO also revealed that the main concerns of petrochemicals producers in the region are linked to the protectionist measures that have been sparked by difficult economic conditions.

“In times like these, governments sometimes yield to anti-globalisation arguments, which is a very serious challenge to the expansion of global trade and a serious concern for petrochemical producers in the Gulf,” he added.

The forum featured 11 major sessions, mainly focusing on the impact of the economic crisis on the different aspects of the industry in the region and how to succeed during the downturn.

Two breakout sessions also took place. One, focusing on human resources, discussed “Leadership in an Era of Constant Change,” by Dr Vijay Govindarajan, one of the world’s leading experts on strategy and innovation. The second breakout session on sustainability was entitled “Pursuing Sustainability in the Chemical Industry.”