QAPCO participates in PLASTEX Exhibition -Egypt

This exhibition is one of the most important international trade exhibitions for rubber and plastics industries in Middle East and South Africa.

PLASTEX is regularly held in Cairo every two years. It was first held in 1993. It displays the latest inventions and technologies used in the field of downstream petrochemical industries and end user products, which depend on plastics, such as computers, furniture, medical and electrical equipment, agricultural and greenhouses, children's toys, plastic bags and others.

Over 360 leading companies from more than 27 countries have participated; from Asia, Europe, Far East and GCC countries including Qatar, which is represented by QAPCO. The exhibition area extended to 24 sqm.

QAPCO's delegation to the exhibition was headed by Mr. Mohd Jassim Al-Na'ama, Public Relations Manager Mr. Ahamd Al-Emadi, Head of Regional Sales in Marketing Department, Mr. Rawdan Yabroudi, Technical Customer Services Engineer, Mr. Sami Fayoumi, from Central Lab and Technical Support, Mr. Amin Al-Dib, Exhibition Officer at Public Relations.

Commenting on PLASTEX 2007, Mr. Ahamd Al-Emadi said that QAPCO's stand welcomed over 150 customers specialized in petrochemicals from more than 15 countries. The delegation discussed all marketing matters with customers and answered their queries relating to present and future marketing plans. The current world prices and high quality products along with plans for increasing sales were also tackled.

It is worth mentioning that QAPCO has recently appointed Mr. Jassim Al-Sharshani, as a new director of its representative liaison office in Egypt.

In conjunction with CAIRO PLASTEX 2007, Mr. Radwan Yabroudi, TCS engineer gave a detailed technical presentation on 'Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), which is to be produced by the underway Qatofin project, expected to be completed at the end of 2008. The presentation included details about LLDPE grades and applications in the thermoplastics. All aspects of the plastics industry were covered; data and figures about the production capacity of ethylene in Qatar and the polyethylene sales in the world market.

Throughout the exhibition, some promotional brochures and printing materials were distributed as well as technical pamphlets with data figures about different petrochemical products of the company.

QAPCO also held a dinner banquet and a party for all its customers at Inter-continental-City Star Hotel. All matters relating to plastics industry and the anticipated problems were discussed with customers. Plans for development were also discussed in terms of quality, increase of production and finding new horizons to establish good business relationship with new customers.

The gathering started by a welcoming speech made by Mr. Jassim Al-Sharshani, Director of QAPCO's Liaison Office in Egypt. Then Mr. Mohd Jassim Al-Na'ama, PR Manager, delivered a speech, welcoming the audience and the members of Qatari diplomatic missions accredited to the country as well as other officials and dignitaries from the government.

Al-Na'ama gave a briefing about QAPCO saying it has achieved progress and prosperity and talked about the expanded marketing network. "The company has opened around 14 liaison offices in many strategic markets around the world; three offices in China (Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing), one office in Egypt and another one in Syria, three more offices in India (Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai), two offices in Pakistan (in Karachi & Lahore), one in the UAE (Dubai), and an office in Lebanon. Two other offices are in Taiwan and Bangladesh. Nowadays QAPCO is committed to providing high quality products, after-sale services and ensuring that state-of-the-art logistics are in place to get the products to market," he said.

Mr. Al-Na'ama talked about the company's products and activities and highlighted the company's hopes and expectations. "QAPCO is keen to attend Cairo PLASTEX for the fifth time running, due to its strategic importance. We hope that PLASTEX 2007 will avail us the opportunity to meet our customers and petrochemical specialists around the world and exchange viewpoints." Mr. Al-Na'ama said.

Mr. Al-Na'ama briefed the audience about the on-going projects that QAPCO is currently carrying out:

•Ethylene De-bottlenecking Project: to increase from 525 Kmtpa to 720 Kmtpa The project is envisaged to be completed in the third half of the year 2007.

•Qatofin project: to establish a 450 Kmtpa Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) plant in Mesaieed, which will be mainly exported to Asia and Europe. Production is expected to commence by mid 2006.

•Ras Laffan Ethane Cracker Project: to establish an ethane cracker plant in Ras Laffan Industrial City and a 120 km pipeline from Ras Laffan to Mesaieed to transport the ethylene produced. Ras Laffan Cracker will be one of the world's largest ethane cracker plants. It will be expected to produce 1.3 Mmtpa of ethylene.

Mr. Al-Na'ama, also talked about the other LDPE expansion projects for the future by having LDPE 3 Plant and the study is under progress. The new plant capacity of LDPE will be 250 Kmpta. By the completion of this project in the 2nd Quarter of 2010, QAPCO's total LDPE production capacity will be increased up to 650 Kmpta.

He also referred to QAPCO's new logo that was launched in April 2006, in order to cope with the new developments and further enhance and renew its customers' confidence and good business relations.

He also pointed out that the state of Qatar is witnessing, under HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar and HH Sheikh Tamim, the Heir Apparent, a great and comprehensive boom and that many achievements have been witnessed as well in all disciplines and fields in the country.

He concluded that QAPCO's marketing network extends to over 87 countries covering more than 4000 customers around the world.

Eng. Al-Mohanadi concluded his speech voicing his hope that QAPCO's participation in Cairo PLASTEX 2007 exhibition would enhance and consolidate the economic relations between the two brotherly countries.