Gulf Refining Union holds second meeting

Gulf Refining Union, based in the Kingdom of Bahrain, held its second meeting at the National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) office on November 24 in the presence of President of the Union Mr. Bakheet Al Rashidi from Kuwait Petroleum International, and the founding members of the Board of Directors.

The President expressed his appreciation to the Board of Directors for attending the meeting. He thanked the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain and Minister of Oil His Excellency Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa for the support to ongoing programs and activities of the Union aimed at highlighting its role and follow-ups, which contributed to promoting the Gulf refining industry at a global level.

Members reviewed all the items on the meeting agenda relating to administrative, financial and legal matters, including the appointment of the Secretary General of the Union. They agreed on the appointment of Eng. Ali Abdullah Al Ashban from Saudi Arabia as the Secretary-General to start work on November 24, 2016 with Bahrain as the permanent headquarters of the Union. The Union President and Board of Directors congratulated the Secretary-General and wished him success in the assignment, which contributed to the establishment of the Union and its journey towards achieving the desired objectives, and the pursuit of the implementation of plans and programs that would contribute to the development and progression of Gulf refining industry and to increase investment in this area.

Eng. Al Rashidi said that the Union would play a significant role in attracting investments and specialist events in the field of refining and contribute to and encourage the establishment of companies that serve the oil and gas sector, underlining the logistical support from NOGA, which enhanced the prestige of the Union and contributed to the strengthening of relations with oil companies and Union.

The Gulf Refining Union was created after approval by the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom of Bahrain in its meeting on July 11, 2016, with founders Saudi Aramco, Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) and Kuwait Petroleum International and Kuwait National Petroleum Company.