Speakers at GPCA Forum say GCC chemical industry’s future requires ‘bold leadership’
The inaugural edition of the GPCA Leaders Forum attracted 83 senior industry leaders from 58 companies. The forum was held under the theme ‘In pursuit of resurgent growth during turbulent times.’
Yousef Al-Benyan, GPCA and vice chairman and CEO, said: “Industry leaders would need to change how they think about growth, innovation and their operating models.”
“A major acceleration – during the pandemic – of already established trends such as digitalisation, a re-energised focus on sustainability and innovation, circular economy, the move towards decarbonisation and renewable energy, as well as the energy and materials transition among others. The pandemic emphasised the power of collaboration, without which, the world would not be anywhere near global recovery”.
HE Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer, vice minister for mining affairs at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, said: “It is an honour to speak at the GPCA Leaders Forum. Identified by Saudi Vision 2030 as the third pillar of Saudi industrial growth, alongside petroleum and petrochemicals, the mining sector is an important part of Saudi Arabia’s economy.
“The pandemic sharpened our focus on the sector’s resilience and today, Saudi Arabia is in a prime position to support the expected increase in demand for minerals – domestically, regionally and around the world.”
Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, secretary general, GPCA, said: “Chemical industry leaders must leverage the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and lead with a renewed sense of purpose to create value for its shareholders, costumers, society and our planet.
“The next decade will require companies to embrace people centricity, innovate and adopt agile decision making. To succeed, the industry would also need to drive customer collaboration and formulate effective partnerships. It would need to develop products that meet the future needs of our times and demonstrate leadership in the digital transformation.”
Speakers at the inaugural edition of the Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association Leaders Forum stated that securing a bright future for the GCC’s chemical industry “will require bold leadership that adapts to the new trends emerging in the post-pandemic reality”.
For more information visit www.gpca.org.ae
17th June 2021
