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Wednesday, February 22, 2012
SABIC Ventures Into Trinidad And Tobago
By TEST @ 1:08 PM :: 1174 Views :: 2012
 

SABIC Ventures Into Trinidad And Tobago



SABIC officials meet with Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education, Fazal Karim.
From left to right: M. Aslam Kaleel, John Dearborn, Minister Fazal Karim, Craig Kelly, Jason Simmonds and Technical Adviser to the Minister, Navin Boodhai.


Senator the Honourable Fazal Karim, Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education met with officials of SABIC (Saudi Basics Industries Corporation), one of the largest companies in the Middle East on Wednesday February 8, 2012.


SABIC a free standing commercial organization that manufactures chemicals, plastics, fertilizers and metals was here to discuss the potential of their investment venture. Minister Karim also suggested that they support the opening of a technology and vocational center dedicated to their industry needs but in partnership with the Ministry and its institutions.



Speaking to the Minister, Vice President of the Americas in SABIC, John Dearborn explained the origin of the company 35 years ago which was as a result of environmental problems from oil production in Saudi Arabia. In 2000 the company decided to reach out for technology and become more innovative by securing more markets in other parts of the world and embarked on an acquisition spree. During this time, they bought several companies including Dutch State Mines (DSM), Scientific Designs and Huntsman in the UK.


In 2007, they made an enormous acquisition of GE Plastics and between 2008 and 2009, signed a joint venture agreement with Sinopec in Tianjin, China. In hopes of meeting the increasing demand for their products and to help each of their companies reach their growth aspirations SABIC turned to Trinidad and Tobago which was one of the first global collaborations.

Mr. Dearborn said that their company recognized the need to have skilled local people in Trinidad and Tobago stating that they need to get people working with technologies required to operate plants relating to their future investments.


SABIC also has technology and innovation centers which focus on catalysis, process technology and engineering plastics showing their dedication to further expand its market.


Upon this discussion, Minister Karim proposed the idea of bringing such a center in Trinidad and Tobago, with the facility being stand-alone, in terms of physical location and proximity to the plant. The Minister also offered them the opportunity to work with tertiary institutions and the Ministry to build a Center of Excellence in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Minister assured the SABIC officials that once the relationship is established, his ministry will offer them opportunities to bring workers from Saudi Arabia, Latin America or the US and provide them with the necessary facilities so that the benefit of SABIC’s presence here would be to enrich the learning experiences.

In closing he wished the members of SABIC all the best in their initiative and stated that once they are established in Trinidad and Tobago his Ministry will support them and ensure they have trained and certified workforce to conduct their business.



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