His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Bapco Energies board of directors chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa opened the 19th Annual Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Forum, under the theme ‘Catalysing Competitiveness through Strategic Partnerships,’ which is being held under his patronage and will continue until Thursday.
The opening ceremony was attended by Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) board of directors former chairman Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Thunayan Al Saud and a number of senior officials, along with broad participation from representatives of regional and international industrial entities.
Shaikh Nasser affirmed that Bahrain’s hosting of this global industrial event for the first time represents an important milestone in the development of the kingdom’s energy sector and consolidates its position as a regional hub capable of hosting major international events.
He noted that the forum reflects the kingdom’s commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance innovation and sustainability and build an industrial ecosystem that is better equipped to cope with rapid global changes.
Shaikh Nasser said: “In Bahrain we believe in the importance of building effective partnerships that bring together industry leaders, policymakers, experts and young people, opening up new horizons for the development of the petrochemical and chemical sectors and supporting the exchange of knowledge and expertise. This forum is a leading platform that contributes to the formulation of innovative visions to continue driving industrial development in the region.”
He added that holding this specialised exhibition, with the participation of more than 300 international companies, reflects the growing status of Bahrain as a major destination for showcasing industrial innovations and advanced technologies in the petrochemical and chemical sectors, stressing that the exhibition strengthens communication with leading companies, the exchange of experiences and building quality partnerships among participants.
The opening ceremony featured a speech by Oil and Environment Minister and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs Dr Mohammed Bin Daina.
During the ceremony, the winner of the seventh edition of the GPCA legacy award was announced, which was won by the late Dr Ibrahim bin Salamah, former vice chairman and managing director of Sabic. The award was received by his family on his behalf.
The forum brings together leading experts and specialists from around the world to discuss key trends and challenges in the chemicals sector. In addition, the GPCA Youth Forum provides a platform for direct communication with industry leaders and exploring promising opportunities in the chemical and petrochemical sectors.
The forum also includes several side events and initiatives, including the Start-up Nexus, which is dedicated to supporting start-ups, the third edition of the GPCA’s Solutions XChange programme, the GPCA’s Sustainability Pavilion, and the accompanying exhibition, with the participation of more than 300 companies from around the world showcasing latest technologies and studies related to the sector.
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