The 3rd Gulf Petrochemical and Chemical Association (GPCA) Supply Chain Conference will feature an unparalleled line-up of industry leaders from the Gulf and global chemical and petrochemical communities.
Taking place at InterContinental Hotel, Abu Dhabi from 18-20 October 2011, the theme of this year’s event ‘Strengthening the supply chain against challenges and threats’ is designed to aid dialogue on issues related to the opportunities and challenges within this industry, including piracy, GCC customs regulation, staffing challenges, sustainability and responsible care, third party logistics as well as the strategies needed to mitigate the impact of long supply chains.
“Participants at this year’s supply chain conference will not only be armed with in-depth information, statistics and the latest findings but they will also be given the opportunity to witness and participate in rich debate and discussion by industry leaders and executives,” said Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General, Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA).
A welcome address on day one by Hamad Al Terkait, Chairman Supply Chain Committee, GPCA and President and CEO, EQUATE Petrochemical Co. will be followed by a keynote speech by Rashed Saud Al Shamsi, Petrochemicals Director, Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC) and Chairman, Borouge Pte. The latter will focus on the key challenges and opportunities for the GCC supply chain both present and in the future.
Graham Hoar, Vice President Middle East, Nexant, will provide delegates with a Middle East chemical sector overview, while other distinguished local spokespeople will elaborate on overcoming challenges here in the region, improving supply chain management using a Saudi ARAMCO case study and more specific topics such as port infrastructure, a topic that will be addressed by Dirk Van Den Bosch, Chief Commercial Officer UAE Region, DP World.
Mohamed Al-Mazeedi, Vice President Middle East Region, United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) provides both global and regional perspective on container shipping.
Ensuring sustainability and responsible care in the supply chain is a hot topic that will be tackled by Gary Hanifan, Global Lead, Supply Chain Management Practice, Accenture.
Day Two’s sub-theme ‘From piracy to personnel: Facing realities and turning supply chain challenges into opportunities’ will be dealt with by an equally impressive line-up of speakers including Dr. Rumaih Al-Rumaih, CEO, Saudi Railway Company (SAR) and Richard Bowker, CEO, Etihad Rail who will assess where and how the region’s high profile rail developments will impact the petrochemical supply chain.
Nikita Andreev, Principal, Camelot Management Consultants AG will address various sales and operations issues and share his insight on how one can improve margins and run a lean supply chain.
A panel discussion on overcoming staffing challenges will be led by Bahiej Al-Biqawi,
Supply Chain Management Group, Almajdouie Group, Board Member, Middle East Logistics Institute (MELI) and Salah Al-Kharaz, Integrated Supply Chain Leader, EQUATE Petrochemical Co.
Dr. Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA, will give the closing address.
In addition to these in-depth discussions, this year there will also be a pre-conference workshop on mitigating the effects of piracy on petrochemical and chemical trade flows, as well as a planned site visit to the impressive Khalifa Port for delegates.