Several key issues facing the petrochemical and chemical industries will be discussed at the 'Fourth Annual Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Forum' to be held in Dubai from December 8 to10.

Saudi minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi, who is also the chairman of Saudi Aramco, will deliver the opening keynote speech at the forum which will be held at the Intercontinental Festival City, said Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, secretary general of GPCA.

'Al-Naimi's insights and views about industry issues will be invaluable for delegates from all over the world who converge in Dubai for the forum,' Dr Al-Sadoun said.

Al-Naimi has been Saudi's minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources since 1995. Prior to becoming minister, he served as the chief executive officer of Saudi Aramco for seven years, capping a life-long career at the company. Time Magazine named him one of the '100 Most Influential People' in 2008.

The focus of this year's GPCA Forum program is 'Breaking Through the Crisis to Pursue Sustainable Growth' and features two days of top-notch speakers, top-caliber networking receptions and special events.

The GPCA Forum is the most important gathering of its type in the Middle East. The landmark event brings together CEOs and senior leaders from petrochemicals, chemicals, engineering, construction, shipping and logistics companies from around the world, as well as private equity executives, bankers, financiers and consultants, to discuss the most important opportunities and challenges in the Middle East.

'Attendance at the Forum has jumped 48 percent since the inception of the event in 2006 to 940 delegates last year. Based on this pattern of continual growth, as well as an expanded marketing plan, GPCA expects over 1,000 executives from more than 40 countries at this year's Forum,' he added.

Companies who have attended the event in the past include regional and global majors such as Sabic, Tasnee, Equate, Borouge, BASF, ExxonMobil, LyondellBasell, Dow Chemical, Sinopec, Reliance, Shell, Evonik, Borealis and Chevron Phillips.

GPCA will once again partner with Chemical Week to organize the Forum. 'Chemical Week's worldwide reputation and reach have played a key role in helping to build the GPCA Annual Forum into the most important event in the Middle East for the petrochemicals industry,' said Dr Al-Sadoun.

'The Forum enables attendees to interact directly with the industry's leaders and decision-makers. It also provides them the opportunity to receive up-to-date market intelligence. This year we expect the Forum to build further on its consistent growth over the past years.'

'Chemical Week is pleased to continue our partnership with GPCA, and to be a part of this important international industry gathering,' said Lyn Tattum, publisher and Group vice president, Chemical Week.-TradeArabia News Service