Top industry experts, thought leaders and officials will gather to discuss and gain exclusive insights into the latest trends driving growth in the fertiliser market at the upcoming Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Fertilizer Convention, next month in Bahrain.

The 8th edition of the convention will take place under the theme ‘New beginnings: Return to growth‘, and will run from September 26 to 28 in The Ritz Carlton.

As changing market dynamics in the fertiliser industry create new business opportunities, the three-day event will offer exclusive insights into the impact of current market changes on fertiliser trade, as well as key drivers behind future growth, said a statement.

This year, the event will kick off with a welcome address from Shaikh Mohamed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil for Bahrain.

It will also feature senior executives from the industry including Dr Abdulrahman Jawahery, president, Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) and chairman, Fertilizer Committee, GPCA;  Khalid Al Mudaifer, president and CEO, Ma’aden; Charlotte Hebebrand, director general, International Fertilizer Association (IFA) and Peter Huang, CEO, China National Chemical Information  Center (CNCIC) Consulting, among many others.

In line with the GPCA’s drive to equip a new generation of aspiring students and future industry leaders with the requisite knowledge and skills to succeed, as well as enabling access to industry platforms, a student seminar will also take place during the convention, as part of the GPCA’s Leaders of Tomorrow initiative.

During the 10-year period between 2006 and 2016, GCC fertiliser production capacity almost doubled in size, growing from 19.4 million tonnes to 37.8 million tonnes. 2017 is set to be another encouraging year, as GCC fertiliser production capacity is estimated to reach 42.3 million tonnes, with Saudi Arabia continuing to take the lead in GCC fertiliser production, raising its total capacity by almost a third to 21.5 million tonnes in 2017 from 16.8 in 2016.

Against the backdrop of increasing food demand in the region, coupled with a need for more fertiliser imports, the convention will explore themes for market stabilisation, global and regional megatrends, specialty fertilisers, resolving environmental and technical challenges and competition in major supply markets, said a statement.

Dr Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, secretary general, GPCA, said: “As the first industry to be set up in the GCC, the fertiliser sector has grown exponentially over the years, delivering exceptional value to the Arabian Gulf region and markets across the globe.”

“The convention has established itself as the Middle East’s leading platform to network, share best practices and exchange ideas for the future in a highly dynamic business landscape,” he said.

“As a unique  and must-attend forum for market-leading insights, the convention will open doors to future opportunities, help regional exporters establish a firm foothold in new markets and adapt to a new era of competitiveness,” he added.

Dr Abdulrahman Jawahery, president, Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) and chairman, Fertilizer Committee, GPCA, said: “We at GPCA are proud to host this important conference, focused on the latest developments of this strategic industry, for the very first time in Bahrain.”

“The convention brings together the industry’s elite and gives us the opportunity to learn more about the challenges and solutions facing the fertiliser industry regionally and globally. Like previous editions, we are dedicated to this year’s success,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service