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Dr Jawahery

Arab fertiliser industry challenges discussed

MANAMA, February 6, 2015

The importance of fertiliser production as well as the need for optimal utilisation of natural resources that add value to the industry and contribute to economic and social development, has been emphasised by Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) president Dr Abdulrahman Jawahery.

Dr Jawahery, who is also chairman of the Arab Fertilisers Association (AFA), said this during the opening of the 21st Annual Forum of the AFA in the Egyptian resort city of Hurgadha, reported the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

He said the event is an important platform to discuss and exchange experiences about the present and the future of the Arab fertiliser industry.

Around 500 representatives from major Arab fertiliser and petrochemical companies as well as a group of experts from 40 other countries all over the world attended the forum that concluded yesterday.

Dr Jawahery outlined the key challenges of food security facing the Arab world and pointed out that agriculture production in the region did not meet the increase in human growth, which resulted in a widening food gap and increasing imports.

He said the world is facing challenges and is changing, with an increase in poverty, unemployment and scarce rainfall.

This is leading to droughts in many countries, which face the risk of starvation.

Dr Jawahery said there are around a billion hungry people globally and this is expected to increase to eight billion by 2030.

He said there would be severe shortage of energy and natural gas resources, which is one of the many challenges the fertiliser industry faced.

This, he said, necessitates the need to provide various types of fertilisers and raw materials.

Dr Jawahery said meetings between several committees during and on the sidelines of the event will focus on global policies and the balance of supply and demand in the future of the fertiliser industry, as well as the extent to which those policies and international environmental standards can be put in place.

He said the world is currently experiencing a new cycle in growing regional and global needs and a resultant increase in fertiliser trade.

This, he said, is accompanied by a rise in global demand for agricultural products.

He said the Arab fertiliser sector has been able to consolidate its position in the global market as a result of the abundance of raw materials, such as natural gas, rock phosphate and potash.

He said the fertiliser industry is of great importance for the economies of Arab countries.

The forum is a premier event in the Middle East and the Arab region and coincides with the 40th anniversary celebrations of the AFA.

Since its inception in 1975, the annual event discusses achievements of the industry and presents a strategy and vision aimed at members and international companies, which contribute to efforts to bridge the food gap and achieve global food security.

The AFA comprises Arab institutions and companies operating in the manufacturing and trading of fertilisers and raw materials and related fields. - TradeArabia News Service




Tags: GPIC | challenges | Fertiliser |

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