AL Naimi: Kingdom produces 62% of GCC Chemicals & 8% of global production 6 Dubai

"Fundamental reality: The Gulf region’s advantages are based on geography,
natural resources, and an already well developed production, refining and chemicals
manufacturing infrastructure.

In this regard, it is strategically and economically in the best interest of GCC
producers to develop and expand their domestic markets. A vibrant and growing
domestic market that provides stability of demand, also reduces costs for
transportation and mitigates the effects of trade barriers.
To be sure, the near future will present some obstacles that will test our
durability, commitment and management skills. In the Gulf, we have a productive and
trained workforce. We must continue to provide training to further upgrade and
burnish the skills of this workforce, and we must look for ways to separate
ourselves from competitors through innovation and development of proprietary
technology and markets.


The Gulf chemicals industry can and must redouble its efforts for environmental
stewardship, corporate social responsibility, training and employing our own
nationals, promoting R&D to support new technologies and small business
development, and best practices in safe operations and corporate governance. These
concerns are common to many other hydrocarbon processing industries beyond
chemicals such as petroleum refining and gas processing operations, thus perhaps it
would be time to consider broadening this very association to include these types
of companies. It is my fervent belief that every step we take to improve our
understanding of these concerns and our performance in addressing them will add not
only to our reputation but also to our profits. Let us all work together toward
common goals in these areas. I for one hope that organizations like GPCA can serve
as a catalyst.
The end products of chemicals are things in which we can take pride: life-saving
pharmaceuticals; packaging to make food safer and more accessible; durable and
affordable materials for clothing and shelter. A world without today’s chemical
products would be catastrophically poorer, less healthy, and more dangerous. May
all of us in the industry renew our commitment to work together to promote
sustainable growth, and to promote public awareness of the current and
still-to-be-discovered benefits our industry offers for the quality of life."
--SPA 15:05 LOCAL TIME 12:05 GMT NNNN