His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa will patronise the launch of the Lube Base Oil plant, a first of its kind eco-friendly project in the region, in Bahrain today.

More than 350 financiers, business people and VIPs are expected to attend the event.

The project has been developed by the National Oil and Gas Authority - represented by Bapco and the Oil and Gas Holding Company - and the Finnish Nesti Oil Corporation.

The Public Commission for the Protection of Marine Resources, Environment and Wildlife was consulted on its environmental impact to avoid any negative effect, Energy Minister Dr Abdulhussain Mirza said.

He said Bahraini contractors employed more than 200 citizens to implement the project and 14 Bahraini technicians were trained to operate it.

"We scored 10 million work hours free from any injuries which may lead to squandering of valuable time during implementation of the project," he said.

The project reflects Bahrain's commitment to expanding its world-class, high-tech, high-quality industrial oil production, he added.-TradeArabia News Service