The challenges and opportunities the refining and petrochemical industries in the Middle East faces as it enters its next phase of expansion will fall under the spotlight at the conference opening session of the three-day 6th Middle East International Refining and Petrochemicals Conference and Exhibition (Middle East Petrotech 2008) on Sunday (today) at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Bahrain. A panel of high ranking industry figures will deliver their own perspective on this year's conference theme “Refining/Petrochemical Integration: The Way for Future Growth,” to downstream oil and gas professionals. Some 80 plus cutting edge technical presentations and 12 executive keynote speaker sessions will follow over the subsequent three days of the conference at the Bahrain International Exhibition Center, exploring issues relating to synergies between the refining and petrochemical sectors; and the technology, management, equipment, safety, health and environment, manufacturing and economy of refining and petrochemicals. Commenting on the trade event, Mohammed Ahmad Husain, Petrotech 2008 Conference Committee chairman and deputy chairman and deputy managing director, Planning & Gas, Kuwait Oil Company, said “with a highly technical conference programme, senior keynote speakers and an exhibition of international significance, Petrotech 2008 will help ensure that downstream professionals in the Gulf and throughout the Middle East remain at the forefront of the latest developments in our industry.” The separate associated exhibition of refining and petrochemicals products and services will be inaugurated in a separate ceremony under the patronage of Prime Minister of Bahrain Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa on Monday at the Bahrain International Exhibition Center. __
