DOHA, Oct 10 (KUNA) -- A Saudi official said Monday Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries were producing 1.5 percent of global chemicals' output, much less than their real capabilities.

Mohammad Al-Omair, Aramco's Vice-President for Refining and NGL Fractionation, called on chemicals' companies in the region to boost production lines by 10-fold in the next five years.

Al-Omair, addressing the 2nd International Laboratory Technology Conference and Exhibition (LABTECH 2011), said the GCC countries sat over 35 percent of the global oil reserve and around 25 percent of the world's natural gas stocks.

He noted that the GCC countries were currently producing more than 20 percent of the global crude oil and 10 percent of gas.

Honorary Treasurer of the Qatari Chamber of Comerce and Industry, Ali Al-Mesnad, highlighted the theme of LABTECH which was about "Advanced Technology Solutions for Laboratory Management." He said the conferees would discuss very important topics including the role of technology used in laboratories in future energy usage.

Kuwait is represented by Dr. Naji Al-Mutairi, Director General of Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR).

During the three-day event, conferees will be discussing more than 100 work papers over chemistry, laboratories; new techniques, work force development, quality, health, safety and environment management.