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Volume
45
Issue
3
15
Acting Undersecretary, inaugurated the conference
welcoming the participants. He stressed Kuwait’s
huge keenness on improving petroleum industries
in general, especially downstream industries
through the execution of a group of projects of
strategic nature like the clean fuel and Al Zour
projects.
He expressed appreciation for OAPEC’s active
role in developing the Arab oil and gas industry
through organising such events that provide a
platform for exchanging views and visions among
oil and gas experts from Arab and non-Arab
countries.
He concluded his speech by renewing thanks to
OAPEC, JCCP, and KISR’s Petroleum Research and
Studies Centre for organising this event wishing
the conference all success.
HE Takashi Ashiki, Ambassador of Japan to the
State of Kuwait, followed by delivering a speech
in which he expressed Japan’s recognition and
appreciation of OAPEC’s efforts and achievements
in supporting and encouraging the development
of the petroleum industry to ensure that oil
reaches markets at fair prices and conditions. He
also praised Kuwait’s role in securing petroleum
supplies to the global market, especially Japan.
In his speech, HE Tsuyoshi Nakai, CEO of
Japan Cooperation Centre Petroleum (JCCP),
underscored the importance of the cooperation
between OAPEC and JCCP on developing the
petroleum industry and supporting scientific
research.
He pointed out to the fruitful cooperation that
resulted in various success stories while stressing
the importance of the continuation of this
cooperation to serve the interests of both sides.
He thanked OAPEC for their efforts in organising
the conference and rendering it successful.
OAPEC Secretary General HE Abbas Al Naqi
gave a speech in which he said “This conference
is held at a time when the petroleum industry
is facing various challenges and hurdles, on top
of which volatility of crude oil prices globally- in
spite of their relative stability around fixed rates,
in addition to increasing burdens resulting from
meeting international environmental legislations,
and other factors that affect the global petroleum
markets.”
He added that OAPEC member countries
have been working on developing the petroleum
industry in general, with a particular focus on
refining and petrochemicals. This is done through
developing existing facilities in these countries
and building new ones equipped with the latest
technologies to contribute to the development
of the industry and boost its competitiveness
so that they become one of the most important
hubs for exporting high quality petroleum and