GPIC holds its Annual Celebration and celebrates its 40 th Anniversary

During its 40 th anniversary GPIC recalls its achievements in 2019 and honors its employees

GPIC celebrated the Kingdom of Bahrain’s National Day and the 20 th Anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa taking over the reins of power. The occasion also coincided with the victory of Bahrain’s National Football team in the 24 th Arabian Gulf Cup. He also congratulated and gave his best wishes to His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.

GPIC held a celebration to mark its 40 th Anniversary under the patronage of Chairman of the Board of Directors, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Ali Al Sharyan. Members of the Board of Directors were present during the ceremony, held at the Ghazal Hall of the Ritz Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa.

Members of the company’s Executive Management, Labour Union Chairman and members along with employees joined in the celebrations.

In a statement, GPIC President Dr. Abdulrahman Jawahery said the celebrations come in the midst of the citizens’ happiness to commemorate the Bahrain National Day and the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty’s accession as the King of the Country. He said the Kingdom of Bahrain is at the highest level of progress and prosperity, thanks to God Almighty, to His Majesty’s vision and wisdom and the concrete steps taken by the Government. He said this has ensured Bahrain walks confidently and steadily on the path of human development and also distinguished itself in the sporting arena by winning the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup.

Invited guests, including members of the Executive Management, the President and members of the company's Labour Union, employees and retirees were present.

GPIC’s achievements in 2019 and the awards it has won from local, regional and international organisations as a result of balanced strategies and policies of the Board of Directors and the

professional efforts and sacrifices of the workers, were reviewed during the event.

and perform to preserve the company's successes and gains.

Speaking on the occasion, GPIC President Dr. Abdulrahman Jawahery welcomed His Excellency the Chairman and members of the Board of Directors and congratulated them on the four decades of operations of the company, a successful model of co-operation with brotherly Gulf countries.

He said the achievements and accomplishments in the last 40 years did not come easily. “The path to success was full of many challenges that motivated employees to show excellence and high professionalism in their tasks and responsibilities.”

He said the company had made unprecedented achievements and had overcome challenges witnessed by global markets at all levels. He spoke of the strategies, policies and principles set by successive Boards of Directors that made it different in everything and contributed to its recognition as a global entity and as one of the most advanced in the region.

Dr. Jawahery said the Anniversary coincided with the Kingdom of Bahrain National Day celebrations and the Anniversary of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa taking over the reins of Government. He thanked and appreciated the wise Leadership for its continuous interest in harnessing all capabilities and providing them with a safe and stimulating atmosphere that enabled them to continue to work Dr. Jawahery also thanked the leaders of the partner GCC Countries and said they always provided all kinds of support in enabling GPIC to become an example of successful cooperation. He expressed gratitude to all those who contributed and worked diligently to make the company what it is today. He particularly thanked the Government of Bahrain, represented by the National Oil and Gas Authority headed by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil.

Speaking about GPIC's successes in 2019, he said a correct approach and strategic planning of the Board of Directors as well as the commitment of the Executive Management was responsible. “This is in addition to the cooperation from the company's Labour Union and the professionalism of the employees as well as their keenness to work in the one family spirit.” He praised the exemplary cooperation of the company’s shareholders and the safe investment climate in Bahrain.

Dr. Jawahery spoke of the professional and skilled Bahraini employees at the company and said they are today recognized for their excellence, know-how and knowledge of the latest technologies related to the vital industry. He said the company has strengthened this even further by its continued encouragement of these employees who are regularly sent to attend various regional and international conferences and workshops to gain confidence and experience. 43

During the event, Dr. Jawahery was honoured as the founder of the Responsible Care Committee of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), for obtaining an international diploma in Occupational Health and Safety from NEBOSH and for his selection as an international ambassador for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

His Excellency the Chairman and members of the Board of Directors later honoured distinguished workers who showed sincerity in their work during the current year, as well as the employees who completed long years of continuous service. The celebration was followed by a gala dinner.

GPIC received several awards in 2019, including the award of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Corporate Social Responsibility, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award and the Arab Award for Corporate Social Responsibility.

The company also won the gold medal in the field of industrial excellence from the International Fertilizers Association, the Corporate Social Responsibility Award in the Arab countries from the Regional Network of Social Responsibility in the field of occupational safety and a safety award, a certificate of excellence in maintenance and a procurement risk management award from RoSPA.

GPIC was established on December 5, 1979 as a joint venture for the manufacture of fertilizers and petrochemicals. It is equally owned by the Government of the Bahrain, the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and the Petrochemical Industries Company of Kuwait (PIC).

In recent years, GPIC has achieved progressive growth in production operations, which resulted in achieving rates and record numbers not only in terms of production, operation and export, but also in the field of maintenance and occupational safety, making it an example of a clean and successful industry in the region.

GPIC has set a record for continuous working without a lost time accident, which strengthened the level of productivity due to its strict adherence to maintenance and occupational safety standards.

Speech of His Excellency Yousif bin Abdulrahman Al Zamil

Former GPIC Managing Director

At the outset, I congratulate you all on the success of your Annual Celebration for this year, which reflects the professionalism and standards of GPIC and its values and culture that embody the essence of a unified family.

I also pay tribute to GPIC’s positive results and achievements that have become something of a tradition over years. I seek the blessings of the Almighty to support your ongoing success, which is supporting Bahrain’s vision as well as supporting the Gulf’s industrial integration.

My friends, I am overwhelmed and find it difficult to express my gratitude for your recognition of my time with GPIC. Thank you so very much. This brings mixed emotions - of both joy and sorrow. Joy – because the recognition comes during this auspicious occasion and in front of such an esteemed gathering, and it has been made even greater because it is an acknowledgement of achievements of the past years. Sorrow - because I am leaving GPIC, a company so much a part of my professional development.

Allow me to share with you some memories that I will cherish - because these are associated with my special relationship with this young company, its team, its growth and its achievements.

My relationship with GPIC began 12 years ago, when SABIC chose me and two colleagues to represent it on GPIC’s Board of Directors. I was then appointed Managing Director of GPIC and with this came many opportunities for me to interact directly with the executive management, with various departments as well as technical and administrative teams at meetings, visits and field trips. I also went to technical departments, control rooms, maintenance workshops and warehouses. It did not take long for me to I realise this position was an honour rather than a job. I have looked closely at the company’s efficient business management model, examined the effective integration between technical and administrative employees, divisions and departments, and admired GPIC’s culture which is reflected in the professionalism and high values of human capital and complex systems.

This evening, I would like to say, once again, that I am honoured to be associated with GPIC and with its professionalism and accomplishments that have gone far beyond the borders of Bahrain, the GCC and even the Arab region and now have spread worldwide.

These achievements are evident from the many local, regional and global awards in the fields of employment, administration, environment, security, safety, and corporate social responsibility, as well as those in training and development of our local talent and leaders of tomorrow.

These awards show the worth and merit of the employees who have ensured GPIC is placed in this prestigious position and firmly on the map of the global petrochemical industry. The United Nations has underpinned this, when it classified GPIC as a company that has contributed significantly to the sustainability of the environment.

So my question is - why does GPIC as a company stand out from the others? I do not exaggerate or flatter when I say each and every one of you, GPIC’s employees, are responsible for this excellence – the elite teams, the men and women who follow the highest ethical and professional values with their hard work, efficiency, outstanding creativity and unparalleled loyalty.

GPIC’s leadership have successfully laid realistic foundations and created a productive work environment in a professional and effective manner. The Board of Directors, despite their multiple institutional and country affiliations, have succeeded in putting the interests and concerns of GPIC outside the formal framework at Board meetings. The management has been able to focus on the interest of the company and its affiliates in a positive climate of cooperation and harmony.

As part of this creative company, I have learned many lessons. I learned from my colleagues on the Board of Directors - during discussions and meetings - about GPIC’s issues and opportunities, how differences are managed professionally, and how to reach a unanimous decision through discussions in spite of differences of opinion. technical teams and from the service, maintenance and operational technicians working in front of control panels or on towers, tanks, equipment, workshops and warehouses, the commitment, discipline, responsibility and professionalism they have in performing their duties. I express great appreciation for your support during my tenure, which I consider one of the most beautiful and enriching times of my career.

As I stand here, I cannot fail to ask for the mercy and forgiveness of His Excellency the late Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, the Chairman of the Board of Directors. He was a guiding light and an inspiration for us in charting the company's vision, an influential supporter in the implementation of its strategy, and a passionate follower of its programmes and the development of national human capital. May Almighty cover him with mercy and to accommodate him in his spacious garden.

Before I conclude this speech, I would like express gratitude to His Excellency Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza, Chairman of the Sustainable Energy Authority and former Minister of Oil. I appreciate his support for the company's business, projects and growth plans.

I understood the strength of cooperation and integration among the members of the Board of Directors, in taking responsibility for the advancement of GPIC and the development of its business, administrative, technical and human resources through an ambitious vision and strategy to expand the scope of its impact in all fields.

I learned from the company's leadership the importance of creating an atmosphere that encourages cooperation and integration between Board Members and the executive management. This cooperation and integration supports the transferring, reporting and implementing of the company's vision and strategy professionally to achieve its ambitious goals.

I learned from the company’s administrative and I also thank His Excellency Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Minister of Oil, whose continued support and constructive directives has helped overcome difficulties and challenges and take advantage of opportunities and successes, as well as promoting the growth of the company and its employees.

I appreciate the support of His Excellency the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Ahmed Ali Al Sharyan and my fellow Board members with whom I worked in the current or previous sessions of the Board. I learned a lot from them.

I also appreciate the wisdom, vision and courage of my brother and colleague, Dr. Abdulrahman Jawahery, the President of the company, and wish him continued success for his outstanding leadership in guiding GPIC with efficiency and 47

competence. The company is proud of its local, regional and global achievements under his leadership, and its unique global position, including, but not limited to, the RoSPA award in the field of the environment and safety, as well as the NEBOSH International Diploma, which has never before been awarded to any global leader in its forty-year history.

It is for you, my brothers and sisters in the executive management and various teams of the company, employees in all departments and divisions; I give my praise and appreciation for what you have given me in terms of practical support under the umbrella of the GPIC family.

My retirement has not come as a surprise, yet it was not easy for me when the time finally arrived. My consolation is that I have left the company in safe hands - with its highly qualified Board of Directors, who will continue to provide distinguished leadership, contribute to and improve the company’s performance to achieve even more growth and prosperity.

I also cannot forget to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to SABIC for its confidence in me, and for the honour and privilege to serve this great organisation for four consecutive sessions.

The secret to the success of this distinguished company is the “one-family spirit”, where human capital, professional teams and leadership wisdom are supremely valued.

I congratulate you on the company, I congratulate you on the homeland, and I congratulate you on the management of the company in Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

In conclusion, I thank you all for your kindness, and I apologise if I took for granted your generosity. I wish you more success.

Best Committee Award

Best Department Award