Gulf Petrochemical Sector Recovers:

GPCA Chairman Sees Growing Role for Association

DUBAI, March 24, 2010 - Economic indicators point to continued recovery for chemical companies in
2010, including a positive development for producers in the Middle East, with
global chemical industry output forecast to increase 4.6%, offsetting a 4.6%
contraction in 2009, Mr Mohammed Al Mady, Chairman of the Gulf Petrochemicals
and Chemicals Association (GPCA) and CEO and Vice Chairman of SABIC, told the
3rd Annual General Meeting of GPCA on March 18 in Dubai.

(Photo:
www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100324/383574 )

Mr. Al Mady expressed confidence that the recent crisis was over for the
industry, citing data from the American Chemistry Council (ACC) which pointed
to chemical industry production growth averaging 3.7% across the Middle East,
including 6.3% in Saudi Arabia 3.4% in UAE, 3.2% in Kuwait and 7.4% in Qatar.

The meeting was attended by representatives from 34 member companies and
Mr. Al Mady briefed members about the activities of GPCA over the past year,
plus future plans.

The Association has taken a significant step forward with its plans for
introducing Responsible Care - an initiative of the International Council of
Chemical Associations (ICCA)- and board members endorsed the programme,
following a detailed study. GPCA believes that petrochemical and chemical
producers in the region will see significant benefit from pursuing this
important initiative and communicating their commitment to the wider
community.

"We have continued our growth trajectory in various spheres. Our revenues
have risen by over 39% in 2009. We now have six working committees looking at
common issues in the areas of: Human Resources; Plastics; Supply Chain;
Responsible Care; Advocacy; and Fertilisers," Mr Al Mady said, the latter two
being the latest additions.

During 2009, GPCA conducted sixteen workshops on various important
topics. "We started events catering to the Fertiliser; Supply Chain; and
Safety, Health and Environment segments," Mr Al Mady said, adding: "We had
over a thousand delegates at our Fourth Annual Forum last December, despite
the challenging economic environment. We continued the dissemination of
information and news about our industry through our directory, newsletter and
website."

He continued: "Today GPCA's membership stands at 135 members and we hope
to grow this number further by offering even more value-added services to
companies. Looking at the future we would like to grow our portfolio of
events catering to various segments of the petrochemicals and chemicals
industry. We will be holding the First GPCA Plastics Summit in Dubai, June
14th to 16th, the second GPCA Fertilisers Seminar, September 29th to 30th,
and having the second edition of our Supply Chain event from October 18th to
20th, in Bahrain."

GPCA will also be hosting the annual meeting of the Responsible Care
Leadership Group from September 21st to 23rd, where representatives from over
50 countries are expected to attend. Events this year will culminate with
GPCA's flagship Annual Forum, in Dubai from December 7th to 9th.

"Our committees will continue to address important issues facing our
industry through dialogue and workshops. From this year we have decided that
Board Members will head the various committees. This will ensure high level
involvement and direction for the activities. Given the expanding role of the
association, we are moving to larger premises and engaging more resources
later this year. This will enable us to serve our members better.

"As we come out of the downturn, I believe the Association will be a
catalyst in sharing best practice, and collating and disseminating industry
data. With expanding regional production capacities coming on-stream, our
association is also gearing up to support the industry in meeting its
aspirations."

About the Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association

Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), the
first such industry association in the Middle East, has grown from strength
to strength since its inception in March 2006, steering the regional industry
towards a whole new era of co-operation. As the regions' Petrochemicals and
Chemicals Industry's representative body, GPCA aims to enhance the role of
the region in international debate and policy making to facilitate regional
co-operation, and to ensure that growth is both sustainable and socially
responsible. GPCA's mission is to offer its members networking opportunities
through various platforms to meet and share knowledge; exchange insights and
expertise and advocate the development, growth and prosperity of the
petrochemicals and chemicals industry and related businesses in the Gulf.
Additional information is available at www.gpca.org.ae.

    For more information, please contact:
    GPCA
    Gaurav Paul
    Communication Manager
    Tel: +971-4-3217444
    E-mail: gaurav@gpca.org.ae

Photo:
www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100324/383574

For more information, please contact: GPCA, Gaurav Paul, Communication Manager, Tel: +971-4-3217444, E-mail: gaurav at gpca.org.ae