The Minister of State for Energy H E Mohamed bin Saleh Al Sada visiting the GCC industries expo after inaugurating the convention-cum-exhibition at the Qatar International Exhibition Center here yesterday. Abu Shoosha

DOHA: The 12th Industrialists’ Conference & Exhibition and the Global Exhibition on Subcontracting & Partnership were kicked off here yesterday.

The three-day event is the biggest event in the history of Gulf Industry and is being held under the patronage of The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Industry Ministers from GCC countries attended the opening ceremony yesterday. The event is being organised by the Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) in collaboration with Secretariat General of the GCC Countries, Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Qatar Ministry of Industry and Energy, and Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The event is witnessing an International Industrial Exhibition of the 12th Industrialists’ Conference, and the Global Exhibition on Industrial Subcontracting and Partnership - Petrochemicals and Plastics. Manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, investors and buyers are meeting on this occasion to identify and build on the opportunities created by the new economic environment.

The Industrialists’ Conference is attended by top-notch international speakers from all over the world and renowned regional experts.

Among the topics to be addressed at the conference are, ‘Future Industry in GCC Countries Vision 2020’, Strategic Initiatives in Industrial Policy Formulation and Coordination, Projects Financing and Financial Services, International Cooperation in Research and Technology, Industrial Linkages and Partnerships, New Trends in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Products and Potential Market. Business to business meetings will be arranged by market specialists between suppliers, technology providers, buyers and investors.

Undersecretary for Industrial Affairs of the Saudi Ministry of State Energy, Dr Khalid bin Mohamed bin Suleiman, presented a paper yesterday during the plenary session 1 which was slated for discussing GCC Industrial Strategies.

Dr Khalid noted that Saudi economy is still dominated by oil sector despite attempts for economic diversification and expanding petrochemical industry.

“Non-oil industry is our strategic option for realising economic diversity. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is planning rise contribution of industrial sector to GDP from 11 percent currently to 20 percent by 2020,” he said.