Vision 2030 Jan. 2011 | Page 55

Adding value to Hydrocarbons Abu Dhabi National Chemicals Co. Interview with HE Mohamed Al Azdi, Chief Executive, Abu Dhabi National Chemicals Company Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 Although the production, marketing and export of petrochemicals are all well developed economic activities in Abu Dhabi, as demonstrated by the Emirate’s highly successful fertilizer, ethelyne and polyethelyne ventures, the Emirate has the A new entrant into the petrochemical scene, ChemaWEyaat’s mission is to add substantially to the diversification of Abu Dhabi’s economy by adding value to its petroleum reserves and to compliment industry leaders such as FERTIL, Borouge and Abu Dhabi Polymers in the process. opportunity to build upon this platform, expanding its industrial base into a major global industry for which it has excellent comparative advantages. HE Mohamed Al Azdi, Chief Executive of Abu Dhabi National Chemicals Company, otherwise known as ChemaWEyaat is keen to point out that, “Everybody knows that oil and gas is the first and foremost sector in this country, but it is important to keep in mind that the chemical industry is the number two sector. The leadership is on a drive to achieve the best value from our finite reserves and so, adding value by chemical processing is a way to enter new markets and diversify our economy.” ChemaWEyaat was announced by Emiri Decree on 26th November 2008. Three state-owned enterprises are the shareholders of the company: - International Petroleum Investment Company 40% - Abu Dhabi Investment Council 40% - Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) 20% The company is to operate in a clusters zone; the purpose of which is to organise the chemicals supply chain into sub-clusters to assure maximum efficiency in adding value to the readily accessible hydrocarbon reserves. The enterprise is currently developing the Tacaamol Project in the Khalifa Port Industrial Zone (KPIZ) in Taweelah and will begin developing a master plan for Madeenat ChemaWEyaat Ras Al Dhbaiah in the western region for this purpose. According to HE Mohamed Al Azdi, Chief Executive of ChemaWEyaat, “The company is to act as a catalyst for the development of the industry. Ch emical cities are to become a platform for growth.” “We have the benefit of developing our complexes at a time when most such installations globally are growing older and are located in areas that do not have the same competitive advantages of location and feedstock availability that Abu Dhabi offers. We can therefore position ourselves to produce a best-in-class focal point for the chemical industry. In converting oil and oil resource into chemical products such as fertilizers and organic and non-organic chemicals, based on indigenous resources.” 53