Saudi Aramco on Wednesday honored people and former employees who served and contributed to the company's growth and development through the years. The honoring, part of the 75th anniversary of Saudi Aramco, was held at all Aramco facilities and offices throughout the Kingdom. The events were held to mark the 75th anniversary of the signing on May 29, 1933 of the concession agreement that allowed an American company, Socal, to begin exploring oil in Saudi Arabia. Similar honoring and celebrations were held at Saudi Aramco's offices overseas. The company has lined up year-long events to commemorate its 75th anniversary. King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, on Tuesday inaugurated the 75th anniversary of Saudi Aramco, kicking off a whole year of activities that are focused on the company's robust commitment for the welfare of its people, to the Kingdom, and to the global energy needs of friends around the world. King Abdullah launched the celebration, with the theme “Energy for Generations,” at a specially constructed tent in Dhahran near the Saudi Aramco Exhibition Center. The opening marked the occasion to remember the historic events that ushered Aramco as the biggest oil company in the world. It is also an event to remember the many friends and employees who contributed to what Aramco is today. King Abdullah in his speech cited the role and contribution of Saudi Aramco in the national development efforts, as well as the national oil company's support in providing oil during world energy crises. He said Aramco's role in the global energy market has promoted the Kingdom's image in the global arena. The inauguration was attended by leaders and dignitaries from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) who convened their consultative meeting Tuesday at the Gulf Royal Palace in Dhahran. Guests from various sectors, including business leaders throughout the Kingdom and the region also attended the inauguration. The celebration started with the presentation of sights and sounds showcasing the strides and the historic developments of Saudi Aramco. Ali I. Al-Naimi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, in his speech, traced the company's glorious history from the time King Abdul Aziz, Saudi Arabia's founder, to where it is today. Saudi Aramco president and CEO Abdallah S. Jum'ah delivered a special message addressed to all employees of the company, thanking them for their continued dedication and support. His address was video-streamed live on the company's Intranet so employees all across the company's facilities and offices in the Kingdom could watch the inaugural proceedings. Jum'ah also announced the construction this year of the King Abdul Aziz Center for Knowledge and Culture as the company's gift to the Kingdom and its citizens. It will be built near the Saudi Aramco Exhibit Center. Celebrations also took place at 11 sites across the Kingdom wherein company executives delivered special messages. At the 11 sites, films were shown, including exhibitions that displayed photographs chronicling the strides and rich history of Saudi Aramco. King Abdullah was also greeted by Aramcon families, many of them Americans, who wore dresses in old traditional styles, with women wearing gowns with white gloves and hats. The families re-enacted how King Abdul Aziz was received in Aramco during his second historic visit to Dhahran in 1947. During his almost a week visit to the region, King Abdullah will inaugurate a number of facilities in Eastern Province, including the launching of a new, sprawling campus of King Faisal University (KFU) in Dammam which has acquired state-of-the-art medical facilities and educational centers for medical students. King Abdullah is scheduled to visit Jubail Industrial City this Friday, particularly Jubail Industrial City 2, which he inaugurated more than a year ago during its launching. The King will inaugurate a number of facilities that have already been completed at Jubail Industrial City 2. Jubail 2 is part of Saudi Arabia's strategy to transform Jubail as one of the largest industrial areas in the world. It occupies a total land area of 81 sq. km adjacent to the west of Jubail 1. Jubail 2, which will generate private industrial sector capital investment of SR210 billion to SR300 billion, excluding government funding of over SR14 billion, will be the site of more petrochemical plants, refineries, aluminum smelter plants, and secondary industries. Most of these petrochemical plants and refineries will be co-owned by the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), most likely in joint ventures with local and international partners, and Saudi Aramco. Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior, who is accompanying the King on his visit to Eastern Province, will patronize the 38th graduation ceremony of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) on Thursday. Some 1,400 students will be conferred their academic degrees, in addition to 153 and 6 who completed their MBA and PhD degrees, respectively. Prince Naif will also honor KFUPM faculty members and staff members who have completed 10, 20, 30 and 40 years of services. __
