GPCA plans a special Forum

NEW FOR 2021

FORUM • GPCA IS HITTING THE POST-PANDEMIC GROUND RUNNING, WITH A HIGH-PROFILE LINE-UP OF SPEAKERS DUE TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE AT ITS 15TH ANNUAL FORUM

THE GULF PETROCHEMICALS and Chemicals Association (GPCA) has announced a special edition of the 15th Annual GPCA Forum, taking place on 10 and 11 February 2021 at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, to look at how the industry will go forward in a post-pandemic world. Under the theme ‘Leadership in the New Reality – Catalysing Sustainable Growth in the Chemical Industry’, the event is set to attract senior industry executives from more than 50 countries to discuss the opportunities that lie ahead.

The Covid-19 pandemic led to plunging petrochemical prices, eroding margins, and depressed demand during the first two quarters of 2020. The regional chemical industry in the Middle East started to bounce back in the third quarter but has not recovered fully yet. Despite earnings being negative, the third quarter closed with net income growth for the majority of listed chemical producers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) area, which posted an average net income growth of 78 per cent.

As the chemical industry emerges from the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic, leadership in the new reality will become front and centre to companies’ journey towards success in 2021 and beyond. The Annual GPCA Forum will provide renewed perspectives from across the world on key issues that remain at the forefront industry leaders’ thinking, including

THE ANNUAL GPCA FORUM WILL ONCE AGAIN leveraging technology post-crisis, what value creation will look like in a changing landscape, the need to upskill the workforce of the future, build supply chain resilience and drive positive sustainability results.

WHO’S WHO Over the last decade and a half, the Annual GPCA Forum has established itself as the most anticipated downstream industry event and it promises to deliver again with a compelling programme featuring an impressive line-up of speakers from all over the region and the world.

Confirmed speakers include Yousef Al-Benyan, CEO of Sabic and chairman of GPCA; Ilham Kadri, CEO of Solvay; Dr Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro and chairman of PlasticsEurope; Dominic Waughray, managing director of the World Economic Forum (WEF); Ahmed Saleh Al Jahdami, downstream CEO of OQ; Dr Faisal Al-Faqeer, CEO of Sadara; Mosaed Al Ohali, CEO of Ma’aden; Dr Ahmed Ali Attiga, CEO of Apicorp; and Rayan Fayez, managing director and CEO of Banque Saudi Fransi.

Dr Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, secretary general of GPCA, says: “The Covid-19 pandemic has presented unimaginable challenges to the chemical industry the world over and redefined the priorities, business strategies and metrics for success for today’s organisations. How can chemical companies safeguard their competitiveness in 2021 and beyond? How can Arabian Gulf producers remain in the driving seat of innovation and global market leadership? What is the recipe for success on sustainability, digitalisation, workforce development and value creation for shareholders with long-term returns?

“The Annual GPCA Forum will provide a platform to debate and answer these key questions and more, and share lessons learned from the region and the world as we come together to navigate through the new reality in the post-pandemic era and build a more resilient future for our industry, society and planet.”

Full details of the event can be found at https://gpcaforum.net.