Business & Finance Club Magazine - Oil & Gas Sector - Manama:  His Royal Highness the Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa today deputised Oil and Gas Affairs Minister and Chairman of the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) Dr. Abdulhussain Ali Mirza to open the Seventh Middle East International Refining and Petrochemicals Conference and Exhibition (Middle East Petrotech 2010) hosted by Bahrain from May 23 to 26 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The event, themed "Downstream Challenges: Financing, Market Changes & Technology," is organised by the Arabian Exhibitions Management Arabian and Allworld in conjunction with NOGA and GCC and world oil companies. Commenting on the start of Petrotech 2010, Dr. Mirza indicated that HRH Premier's patronage adds value to event attracting high-ranking industry figures in addition to oil and gas professionals.

Petrotech, held regularly in Bahrain every two years, is one of the biggest of its kind in the region, he added, noting that HRH Premier's support for the event has consolidated its importance and encouraged many experts to take part. He also asserted that NOGA's strategy aims to organise numerous world oil functions in the kingdom so as to boost the national economy, in line with the Economic Vision for Bahrain, 2030. Opening Petrotech 2010, Dr. Mirza said that the world refining industry, led by China, India and USA, will grow by 3 to 4 % annually, indicating that demand for diesel will increase and asserting that Bahrain is well-positioned to produce diesel that meets the world standards.

He also said that the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC), which is a joint GCC project carried out between Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, achieved record results in 2009 and there are plans to expand it and increase its productivity in the future. The exhibition, held on the sidelines of Perotech 2010, will be opened tomorrow by Dr. Mirza. More than 120 exhibitors from 20 countries will attend the event, including major participants such as Bapco, Kuwait National Petroleum Company, Saudi Aramco, Qatar Petroleum, ABB, Air Liquide, Dow, ExxonMobil, Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Company and Yokogawa.