More than 200 Delegates from 30 Countries Discuss These Burning Issues at GPCA Fertilizer Convention
Dubai, UAE 29th September, 2010: Over 200 key decision makers and stakeholders in the regional and international fertilizer industry have gathered in Dubai for the GPCA Fertilizer Convention taking place today and tomorrow at the Intercontinental Festival City.
High-level delegates from more than 30 countries are here to discuss the supply and demand dynamics of the fertilizer industry and the challenges of providing global food security in short and long term scenarios.
This high-level event, organized by the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) in conjunction with British Sulphur Events, brings together the top echelons of the industry's production, consumer, trading and technology sectors. The two day conference will provide the perfect opportunity to discuss current and future market requirements, capacity planning and initiate action for improving efficiency in the uses of fertilizers-all important steps on the journey to achieving food security.
The first day of the GPCA Fertilizer Convention focused primarily on food security and the impact it could have on feeding the world where the population is projected to increase to 9.2 billion in 35 years.
The welcome address given by Khalifa Al Sowaidi, Chairman of the GPCA's Fertilizer Committee, underscored the importance of increasing safe food supplies and ensuring that fertilizers played a significant role in output. Sowaidi informed the delegates that in 2011, the GCC, which is already responsible for 16% of the world's total nitrogen exports, will start producing and exporting phosphates. He added that Saudi Arabia has the capacity to produce 2.9 million tones of diammonium phosphate, equivalent to 18 % of the world DAP export market.
This was followed by the first session, chaired by industry stalwart, Luc Maene, Director General, International Fertilizer Industry Association. A presentation by David Dawe, senior economist at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, emphasized the role of fertilizers in future agricultural production and specifically addressed the challenge of feeding 9.2 billion people by 2050. He charted out the various opportunities that exist for the private sector to deliver improved technologies provided they are not too labour-intensive and listed the advantages of choosing the right fertilizer options.
From the GCC region, Fahad Alsheaibi, Executive VP Fertilizers at SABIC, discussed his company's contribution to fertilizer capacity and food security and elaborated on the fundamental role that the Middle East fertilizer industry plays in managing global food concerns. His presentation also included details of some regional and global food initiatives designed to tackle these issues.
Satish Chander, Director General of the Fertilizer Association of India, focused on policies and provided an account of the long -term fertilizer needs for his nation, which is by far the largest market for GCC fertilizer producers. India also accounts for 20 percent of the world's total nutrient trade last year. Focusing on another major market was Professor Chen Li, Director of Fertilizer Department, China National Chemical Information Center, who provided forecasts and analysis on China's fertilizer supply and demand, a key factor in estimating global demands. Focusing on the fertilizer industry in Southeast Asia was Zainal A. Matassan, Executive Director, Agromate Holdings.
Ken Nyiri, Principal Consultant with British Sulphur Analysis concluded the day's proceedings with a presentation on the United States nutrient market.
"Today has been an excellent start to what promises to be a hugely successful event for us as the organizers and the delegates themselves. The enthusiastic sharing of insights and expertise I have observed throughout the day has been heartening and I look forward to seeing more of this healthy dialogue and debate tomorrow," said Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General of GPCA.
Visit www.gpca.org.ae/fertilizerconvention to view the programme of topics and background on the prestigious speaker panel.
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About the Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association
Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) is the first such association to represent the interests of the industry in the Middle East and it has brought a major dimension to its task by creating both a forum for discussion and a place where likeminded people can meet and share concepts and ideas. Since its inception in March 2006, the GPCA has earned the enviable reputation for steering the regional industry towards a whole new level of co-operation and raising the standard in terms of common ground interests.
As the regions' Petrochemicals and Chemicals Industry's most respected representative body, GPCA will continue its efforts to enhance the role of the region in international debate and policy making while always ensuring that its doors are always open to its members and it acts as a catalyst for focusing attention on matters on issues relevant to the industry.
GPCA's mission is singular and specific in that it intends to support the growth and sustainable development of the petrochemical and chemical industries in the Gulf in partnership with its members and stakeholders and be both a sounding board and a meeting point for debate and discussion. Additional information is available at www.gpca.org.ae
For further information visit: www.gpca.org.ae/fertilizerconvention or email conferences@crugroup.com; or contact Mohannad Al Alami, Communication and Promotions Manager
© Press Release 2010
