The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) has announced that Engineer Abdulaziz Al-Zamil (1942-2019), former Minister of Industry and Electricity, Saudi Arabia, will be recognised and awarded posthumously with the GPCA Legacy Award “Al-Rowad”.
Al-Zamil, who passed away in October this year, will be honoured at a special award ceremony and bestowed with a trophy of recognition for his lifetime achievements and outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the chemical and petrochemical industry in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region during the 14th Annual GPCA Forum on December 4 at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, under the theme ‘Winning through Strategic Partnerships’.
As one of the most prominent pioneers in the global and regional chemical industry, Al Zamil was best known for becoming the first CEO and vice chairman of Sabic (1976-1983), the fourth largest chemical company in the world, and later on as Chairman of Sabic and Minister of Industry and Electricity of Saudi Arabia (1983-1995), for encouraging the development of the private industrial sector and working to expand and improve access to electricity throughout the kingdom.
Al-Zamil served as chairman of Al Zamil Group, Sahara International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) and Al-Anma Bank, and was the recipient of numerous industry awards including the King Abdul Aziz Medal, 1984 and The Richard J Bolte Sr Award for Supporting Industries, 2015 by the Chemical Heritage Foundation (today Science History Institute).
He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master's degree from the University of Southern California.
Dr Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, secretary general, GPCA, said: “Abdulaziz Al-Zamil had made tremendous contributions to the creation and advancement of the chemical and petrochemical sector in the region, building the industry from the ground up and laying the foundations for a globally competitive national chemical enterprise.”
“The chemical community in the region and globally has deeply been saddened about the demise of Al Zamil, a true visionary and a leading pioneer in his field, and we will be paying a tribute to his life and achievements at a dedicated award ceremony at the 14th Annual GPCA Forum in Dubai,” he said.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to the Legacy Award Committee, comprised of senior industry leaders from the global and regional chemical industry for their outstanding work and contribution to selecting this year’s award recipient,” he added.
The GPCA Legacy Initiative and GPCA Legacy Award “Al-Rowad” (???????) were launched in 2017 to recognise the pioneers of the chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf region. The award takes place on a biennial basis and honours individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to foster and strengthen the chemical industry in one or more of the GCC states.
Past recipients of the GPCA Legacy Award include Dr Ghazi Al-Gosaibi (1940 – 2010) Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Electricity (1976-1983) and first chairman of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic); Yousuf Al-Shirawi (1927 – 2004), Minister of Development and Industry, Bahrain; and Abdulbaqi Al-Nouri (1929 – 2010), former chairman and managing director of Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), Kuwait. – TradeArabia News Service