The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) is organising the first Supply Chain Forum in Bahrain on October 13 and 14.

The forum, dedicated to the region's petrochemicals and chemicals industry, will be preceded by a workshop on October 12 that will focus on supply chain issues facing the industry in the Gulf region.

With the overriding theme of 'Current Trends and Preparing for Future Growth', the forum will be a platform for the regional industry to share its experiences and weigh opportunities to achieve significant improvements in the supply chain management.

'The forum will offer invaluable insights for industry professionals because supply chain leaders representing both the industry as well as leading consultants and service providers are presenting papers and case studies,' GPCA secretary general Dr Abdulwahab Al Sadoun said.

Speakers at the Forum include representatives of regional leaders such as Sabic and Tasnee, and other regional players including Al Majdouie Group, Kanoo and United Arab Shipping Company.

International speakers include representatives of A T Kearny, Antwerp Port Authority, Vopak and Maersk.

The delegates will be welcomed by GPCA Supply Chain committee chairman Dr Abdulaziz Al Bati.

The forum will address topics such as: Impact of current crisis on supply chain worldwide, supply chain optimisation, developing a petrochemical cluster, the supply chain perspective, challenges of containers shippers in the Gulf region, trucking in Gulf region, practices and trends, building a world-class petrochemical supply chain in a globally competitive and dynamic marketplace and gas logistics.

There will be several sessions and papers dedicated to polymer and liquid handling.

GPCA conceived the Supply Chain Forum as a meeting point for industry professionals, in line with its objective of facilitating events to pool and share regional and international knowledge and experience.

The forum will benefit a wide range of organisations including petrochemical and chemical companies, supply chain service providers, storage and packaging companies, and government authorities such as ministries, ports, free zones and terminal operators.

The workshop associated with the forum on October 12 is titled 'Land transportation in the Gulf region: difficulties and opportunities'.

The highlight of the workshop will be a presentation that is designed to share the best practices in land transportation in Europe. Both the workshop and the forum will be held at the Gulf Hotel.-TradeArabia News Service