The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY) is making all efforts to make the 2nd Saudi Downstream Strategic Forum and Exhibition, scheduled for March 6-7 in Jubail, a successful event.
More than 700 participants, including princes, ministers, executive presidents, decision-makers, investors, petrochemical and downstream industries experts, and a number of speakers, local, regional and international, have confirmed their presence.
Focus on downstream industries
The forum will discuss various issues related to the Kingdom's new strategy to focus on downstream industries with a view to getting the most out of basic raw materials produced here in the Kingdom. More than 85 per cent of Saudi polymers products are exported to the world.
Most challenging obstacles
The most challenging obstacles related to the downstream industries are a direct result of competitive global markets such as that of China and India which have the potential of high productivity and large domestic markets supported by their ability to absorb those products.
Integrating downstream and upstream
The issue, say experts, is how to let downstream industrial sector play an extraordinary role in diversifying the national income, with strong competitiveness. There is a big gap that needs to be bridged between downstream and upstream industries. "The Kingdom is working very hard to make a solid integration between the two sectors," said one expert.
New vision
The forum will lay the foundations for the downstream industries with new vision and wider facilities to take advantage of the investment opportunities keeping in view the latest developments in the sector, including Jubail Industrial City, Yanbu Industrial City and Ras Al-Khair Industrial City.
A number of ministries, institutions and top companies will be taking part in the conference.
