Experts in the downstream industry come together as panelists at the GDA Conference and Exhibition from 23rd – 25th October at Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre
Dubai, UAE, June 11, 2018: The GDA International Downstream Conference and Exhibition, launched by the Gulf Downstream Association (GDA), is the largest downstream conference and exhibition of the year. Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister, Kingdom of Bahrain, the GDA Conference 2018 will be held from 23rd – 25th October at the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre in Manama.
The theme of this three-day event is “Towards a Competitive Downstream through Innovation, Collaboration and Technology”. The conference expects to host 4500 attendees and 150 exhibitors, all with the sole purpose of strengthening the downstream industry and capitalizing on the available
opportunities.
Panelists at the Conference: The GDA International Downstream Conference and Exhibition boasts of a high caliber of panelists who are experts in the downstream industry and can offer deep insights into the industry and what the future holds. Panels at the conference include intense discussions regarding the role of innovation, collaboration, and technology in the future of the downstream industry.
Panel Discussion – Future of Fuels: This session will discuss the future of the downstream business with a focus on the products demand, economics, and the outlook. The session will aim to share different opinions from refiners, consumers, technology providers and regulators on the future of downstream. Prominent speakers at this panel include Jean-Jacques Mosconi, Senior Vice President Refining & Petrochemicals, TOTAL; Rebecca Liebert, President & Chief Executive Officer, Honeywell UOP and Suleman A. Al-Bargan, Vice President Domestic Refining & NGL Fractionation, Saudi Aramco.
Panel Discussion – Future of Energy: This session will focus on the future of the energy demand and new technologies that will impact the downstream business. The session will aim to highlight the latest development in the future of the energy mix in the world and in the GCC and its impact on downstream. Prominent speakers at this panel include Dr. Sun Xiansheng, Secretary General, International Energy Forum (IEF).
Panel Discussion – Future of Margins: This session will discuss the future of the refining margins and how to maintain competitiveness in the future environment. The session will provide insights into the characteristics of profitable facilities, integration and upgrade options, digitalization and benchmarking with other regions. Prominent speakers at this panel include Charles J. Reith Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Solomon Associates; Norm Gilsdorf, President Middle East, Turkey, Russia, Central Asia, Honeywell UOP and Mr. Othman Al-Ghamdi, Chief Executive Officer, S-Oil Corporation.
Roundtable – Human Capital: This session will focus on current challenges and best practices in acquiring and developing talent in downstream. The discussion will also highlight the collaboration between Academia, Research and Development with downstream business. Prominent speakers include Dr. Prof. Riyad Yousuf Abdulaziz Hamzah, President, University of Bahrain; Mr. Nooruddin Ahmed, Co- Founder, CERTERO Business Corporation and Mr. Suleyman M Ozmen, Vice President Downstream Licensing (Retired), Shell Global Solutions International.
About Gulf Downstream Association (GDA): GDA is a non-profit organization with the vision to catalyze the strong and sustainable growth of the downstream industry. GDA was established in the Kingdom of Bahrain in August 2016 by the Cabinet decree. The Gulf Downstream Association (GDA) is established by its founding members – Saudi Aramco, Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI), Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO), Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
GDA’s mission is to provide a platform for sharing knowledge, experience and best practices. This is achieved by becoming a premier association in the region that connects the downstream companies, technology and service providers, consultants, professional entities, governmental organizations, academic institutions and experienced retirees. GDA is located at Bahrain Financial Harbour, Manama. For more information, contact +973 1711 6000 or visit the association’s website at www.gda.org.bh
For exhibition registration related inquiries, please contact the Sales Team via phone at +971 4427 0739 or email [email protected]. Visit www.gdaconference.org for more information
