SABIC honored for key role in exhibition

Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Defense Minister and General Supervisor of the Armed Forces Central Committee for Local Manufacturing, honored SABIC for co-sponsoring the Armed Forces Exhibition for Spare Parts and Materials 2012. The recognition came during the inauguration of the exhibition at Dhahran International Exhibition Center in Dammam, in the presence of Prince Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, Eastern Province Deputy Governor, on Dec. 8.
In his speech, the Prince announced the establishment of a general directorate for local manufacturing and technology localization, reporting directly to the Minister of Defense. He thanked the participants and sponsors, led by SABIC. He expressed his hope of seeing many more spare parts and materials made locally in the next exhibition, with the goal of moving toward self-sufficiency in manufacturing defense material.
Prince Khalid presented Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, executive vice president, SABIC Shared Services, an honorary plaque in recognition of SABIC’s support to the exhibition. The Prince visited the SABIC pavilion, where he was received by Al-Rabeeah and Khalid Mohammed Al-Sufayan, Manager, Corporate Communications, SABIC Eastern Province.
Prince Khalid listened to a briefing on the SABIC exhibits, which highlighted the investment opportunities available to strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Defense. SABIC also highlighted its support to the private sector to transfer and localize technology, develop the potential for cooperation with local factories and companies, provide the armed forces with their needs of materials and spare parts, and build long term strategic relationships with the local manufacturing sector.
The Prince toured the exhibition, which showcased models of more than 16,000 defense-related parts manufactured in the Kingdom.