GPCA
Dominating the Downstream Domain The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) is an influential and high-profile body that represents the downstream hydrocarbon industry and derivatives in the energy rich Arabian Gulf. The industry constitutes the second largest manufacturing sector in the region, producing over US$ 108 billion worth of products a year.
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stablished in 2006, the GPCA represents the interests of more than 250-member companies from the mega chemical and allied industries accounting for over 95% of chemical output in the Gulf region. The association supports the region’s petrochemical and chemical industry through advocacy, networking and thought leadership initiatives that help member companies to connect, to share and advance knowledge, to contribute to international dialogue, and to become prime influencers in shaping the future of the global petrochemicals industry. Committed to providing a regional platform for stakeholders from across the industry, the GPCA manages six working committees—Plastics, Supply Chain, Fertilizers, International Trade, Research and Innovation, and Responsible Care. Global Supply Chain spoke exclusively to Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, SecretaryGeneral, GPCA, in a wide-ranging interview on the current health and state of the industry, performance, challenges, vision, the future and its implications for the industry. Global Supply Chain (GSC): The recently published ‘GPCA--Pulse of the Chemical Industry Report’ released at the 14th GPCA Annual Forum held in Dubai in December 2019 bodes well for the industry. How has the chemicals sector fared in the GCC in 2019 and how does that compare with the 2018 performance? Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun (AWS): The year 2019 was positive year for the performance of the chemical industry in the GCC region. We saw new investment being injected into the growth and development of the regional industry, with the focus being placed on portfolio diversification, new assets acquisition, and consolidation to build critical mass. In order to secure the industry’s future
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Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun
Secretary General, GPCA Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun has been Secretary General of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) since 2009, following a career of more than two and a half decades in the GCC region’s petrochemicals and energy sectors. His career began in 1990, as a Senior Researcher at SABIC Research and Development Center in Saudi Arabia. He has since worked for several prominent regional agencies, including Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (GOIC), Al-Sharq Plastic Industries Co., and PetroBaas for Industrial Investment Co. Dr. Al-Sadoun is member of the Steering Committee of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) and the Board of Trustees of the Riyadh Economic Forum and the Arabian Society for Human Resources Management. He holds a PhD in the field of Industrial Chemistry from King’s College, University of London, United Kingdom, in addition to being a graduate of the General Management Program (GMP3), Harvard Business School (HBS), Harvard University, USA.
