SABIC BOARD VISITS CRI AT KAUST AND KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, REFLECTING STRONG SUPPORT TO SAUDI ARABIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH

The board of directors of the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) visited the SABIC Center for Research and Innovation (CRI) at the King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal on May 13, and King Abdullah Economic City on May 14, in a strong reflection of the company’s commitment to support the Saudi government’s efforts to achieve the country’s growth objectives. The board delegation was headed by Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Thenayan Al-Saud, Chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and Chairman of SABIC, and was accompanied by Mohamed Al-Mady, Vice Chairman and CEO, and high-ranking company executives.

The SABIC Board was received by Dr. Ernesto Occhiello, SABIC Executive Vice President, Technology and Innovation, and Dr Atieh Abu Raqabah, SABIC CRI General Manager. Nathmi Al-Nasr, KAUST Executive Vice President, and Prof Stefan Catsicas, KAUST Provost, gave the delegates an introduction to KAUST’s academic progress and its strong partnership with SABIC.

Dr. Ernesto Occhiello explained the company’s areas of focus that align with SABIC’s long term strategic goals. In a poster session, SABIC T&I scientists explained the recent achievements made at the center, aimed at using science and technology to help face the challenges of water, food, energy and environment for the benefit of the citizens of Saudi Arabia and the world at large.

Commenting on the tour, Prince Saud said, “The visit to KAUST is part of the ongoing collaboration between SABIC and the university aimed at the development and localization of technology. Our objectives are in line with Saudi Arabia’s requirements for growth and within the innovation strategy adopted by SABIC. We are proud of what we saw today at the SABIC Center for Research and Innovation, which we have specially established not only to meet our long term goals, but Saudi Arabia’s as well.”

Throughout SABIC’s journey of growth, he said, the company has endeavored to build a strong research and technology organization. It was at the forefront in joining the KAUST Economic Collaboration Program, which encourages research partnerships, provides training for members, and helps establish effective economic collaboration in the Kingdom and abroad through capable partners. These efforts are geared toward promoting a strong scientific and technological culture, strengthening competitiveness, and boosting local research and development capabilities, eventually creating more jobs, he said.

For his part, Al-Mady said that the board’s visit to the King Abdullah Economic City comes in line with SABIC’s strategy to explore collaboration opportunities with national entities to boost Saudi Arabia’s industrial sector. “It demonstrates our continuing participation in the overall development plans of the Kingdom, further growing the industrial sector, helping achieve sustainable development and providing more job opportunities to Saudi nationals,” he said.

Hisham Al-Joher
Acting Vice President, Corporate Communications