Saudi Oil Minister Al-Naimi to Deliver Inaugural Keynote Address at GPCA Forum

December 8-10 Event to Focus on Key Issues Facing Petrochemical and Chemical Industries

DUBAI, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Saudi Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources H.E. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi, who is also the Chairman of Saudi Aramco, will deliver the opening keynote speech at the Fourth Annual GPCA Forum to be held at the Intercontinental Festival City, Dubai, UAE, December 8-10, 2009.

This was announced today by Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General of GPCA. "The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) is honored to announce that H.E. Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi has kindly consented to be the keynote speaker at the inaugural session of the Fourth Annual Forum. H.E. 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 Arabia'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. This 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. 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, Chevron Phillips and more.

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. "The growth the GPCA Forum has seen and the tremendous support we have received from the industry clearly indicate the need for the strategic dialogue that takes place at this one-of-a-kind event in the Middle East."

About the Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association

GulfPetrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), the first such industry association in the Middle East, has grown from strength to strength since its inception in March 2006, steering the regional industry towards a whole new era of co-operation. As the Gulf's representative body, GPCA aims to enhance the role of the region in international debate and policy making vis-a-vis petrochemicals and chemicals, to facilitate regional co-operation, and to ensure that growth is both sustainable and socially responsible. GPCA's mission is to offer its members networking opportunities through various platforms to meet and share knowledge; exchange insights and expertise and advocate the development, growth and prosperity of the petrochemicals and chemicals industry and related businesses in the Gulf. Additional information is available at http://www.gpca.org.ae.

About Chemical Week

Chemical Week, part of Access Intelligence, LLC, is the world's leading source of news and analysis for key professionals concerned with the chemicals, petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and related industries. Chemical Week information is available face-to-face, daily, weekly and 24/7 via our websites, weekly print magazine, newsletters, custom publications, online buyers' guides, and conferences. Additional information is available at http://www.chemweek.com.

    For more information, contact:

    GPCA
    Gaurav Paul
    Communication Manager
    Phone: +9714-3217444
    E-mail: gaurav@gpca.org.ae

    Chemical Week
    Crystal Jarvie
    Conference Marketing Manager
    Phone: +1-212-621-4687
    E-mail: cjarvie@chemweek.com

    Creative Communication
    Ibtihal Samaraie/ Saeed Al Hasanieh
    Creative Communication, Riyadh
    Tel: +9661-4642606
    Email: ibtihals@creative-communication.net
    Email: saidh@creative-communication.net

Other key contacts:

For the latest event information please call +1-(212)-621-4978 or visit http://www.chemweek.com/GPCA09.

For sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, please contact Dana Carey at dcarey@chemweek.com or +1-(212)-621-4972.

SOURCE GPCA & Chemical Week