Jubail Industrial City: Saudi Downstream 2012 Forum Discusses Diversifying Sources of Income in Process Industries

Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Downstream Strategic Forum & Exhibition will take place in Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia on 6-7 March 2012, and is organised by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, in cooperation with CWC Group.

Industrialists hope that the forum will provide a new concept and method for dealing with basic industrial output and its applications for process industries, thereby boosting the diversity of sources of income and economic integration in Saudi Arabia. They also emphasise the importance of those concerned and working in various related industrial sectors taking part in the forum's activities as it will provide an important forum for discussion on the future of process industries.

Majid Al-Ahmadi, CEO of the Project Management and Development Company in Jubail Industrial City, stated that the Forum is vital for the Kingdom due to the growing global focus on process industries. Saudi Arabia is set to drive the development of these industries in Kingdom and build on successes in the basic petrochemical industries.

Mozid Al-Khalidi, chairman of Ibn Sina, part of SABIC, and head of the Saudi Engineers Council, Jubail Industrial City Branch, said that the “current situation of process industries is unambitious and a comprehensive review of strategic plans is needed to ensure full-scale performance and to ensure that effective mechanisms are set up for implementation. This would ensure that close monitoring could continue of the levels of progress in implementing strategic plans and would make reports and results available to the community so that the necessary evaluations and adjustments can be made.”

Al-Khalidi said, “We must not forget to benefit from the expertise of industrially advanced nations like China and Malaysia, who have succeeded in setting up their process industries, including setting up specialist centres for different industries to guide investments and assist investors in choosing the appropriate technology and speciality, and assisting them technically, administratively and technologically in setting up and operating factories as well as subsequently reviewing performance and working to ensure the relationship lasts and is successful”. He also emphasised the need to “employ and train the national qualified workforce to serve industry and benefit from the available opportunities.”

Similarly, Mutlaq Al-Qahtani, head of the Businessmen’s Committee in Al-Jubail said that the “Saudi process industries forum is considered a meeting place for investors looking for opportunities in the petrochemicals and minerals sectors in Saudi Arabia.” He expects this forum to provide an opportunity to draw up a clear plan for the future of process industries and to provide a space for ideas and projects for the future of process industries in Saudi Arabia to be marketed.

Al-Qahtani stressed the importance of the forum focusing on the Al-Jubail 2 and Ras Al-Khair projects as well as the opportunities available in them for process industries, given the pressing need for industrial diversity to strengthen economic integration between sectors in the state.

Abdulaziz Atarji, general director of strategic planning and investment development at the Royal Commission in Jubail Industrial City, general supervisor of the forum, stated that the Royal Commission was seeking, through the forum, which is in current preparation, to set up its main strategic plan for process industries. This will be related to the need to benefit from the raw material basic industries in Saudi Arabia export abroad and to use them locally, in addition to looking at the obstacles and finding alternative solutions to promote process industries.

The Royal Commission, established in 1975 by a Royal Decree, is the governing body responsible for the development and investment generation in core industrial sectors within Yanbu Industrial City, Jubail Industrial City and Ras Al Khair Industrial City.

These responsibilities include the provision of land, utilities, education, health care, social policy and infrastructure supporting both industrial and social integration and development. The overall development of Jubail and Yanbu as world-class industrial cities in petrochemical and energy-intensive industries accomplished with an investment of over $20 billion, has witnessed the creation of over 200 industries that have invested over $42 billion, providing employment for over 85,000 workers. The 157,000 residents of the two cities enjoy world class amenities and security.

The CWC Group is an award-winning company which specialises in energy and infrastructure, developing knowledge, creating commercial opportunities and strategic solutions for government and industry by offering professional training, conferences and exhibitions.
For the second time, The CWC Group has been awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise: International Trade; the first time in 2007 and the second in 2011. This is made on the advice of the Prime Minister and awarded by HM The Queen.

Contact information:
Esha Sofat
Marketing Manager
CWC Group Ltd, Regent House, 16-18 Lombard Road, London, SW11 3RB, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 20 7978 0020
Email: esofat@thecwcgroup.com

This release was published on openPR.