Date/Time
Date(s) - 12 December 2018
12:00 am
Categories No Categories
Kuwait, 12 December 2018 — As part of development through joint training, the 4th Intellectual Property (IP) Awareness Workshop was organized by the Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association (GPCA) in collaboration with SABIC and EQUATE Petrochemical Company, a global producer of petrochemicals, during December 12 and 13, 2018.
The two-day workshop is aimed at promoting awareness about the practice and implementation of IP. Attendees discussed important issues related to IP, such as applications and disclosures, as well as strategies in protecting IP within the region and around the world.
The Secretary General of GPCA Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun said, “The GCC chemical industry’s patent applications have increased significantly over the years, reaching close to 2,400 in 2017. Over the past decade, the number of chemical patents obtained in the region grew by 6% per annum, almost on par with global growth of 5.6%. This trend is an indication of the industry’s continuous drive towards innovation and the need to create awareness about the importance and protection of IP.”
“In line with this, GPCA is proud to be organizing the 4th edition of the IP Awareness Workshop, dedicated to the practice and implementation of IP and best in class strategies for protecting it within the region and the world. Special thanks goes to our partners EQUATE and SABIC for their extensive support in making this another successful edition.” Al-Sadoun added.
On his part, EQUATE CFO Dawood Al-Abduljalil said, “IP is a key element of innovation in any industry that aspires to grow and develop by having new practices. Through the collaboration of various organizations from around the world, this forum is of essential significance in creating awareness about the importance and steps relevant to protecting intellectual property.”
This successful series of IP awareness workshops is attended by a number of professionals from the chemical and petrochemical industry, as well as IP strategists, lawyers, innovators, researchers, patent officers, marketing and business development practitioners.
Previous GPCA IP workshops were held in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The workshop series aims to create awareness on this important topic amongst the regional industry and related value chain partners.
About the Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association
The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) was established in 2006 to represent the downstream hydrocarbon industry in the Arabian Gulf. Today, the association voices the common interests of more than 250 member companies from the chemical and allied industries, accounting for over 95 percent of chemical output in the GCC. The industry makes up the second largest manufacturing sector in the region, producing over US$108 billion worth of products every year.
GPCA supports the petrochemical and chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf through advocacy, networking and thought leadership initiatives aimed at helping member companies to connect, share and advance knowledge, contribute to international dialogue, and become prime influencers in shaping the future of the global petrochemicals industry.
Committed to providing a regional platform for stakeholders from around the world, GPCA manages six working committees – Plastics, Supply Chain, Fertilizers, International Trade, Research and Innovation, and Responsible Care – and organizes six world-class events each year. The association also publishes an annual report, regular newsletters and various other industry reports.
For more information, visit www.gpca.org.ae.
About the EQUATE Group:
The EQUATE Group is a global producer of petrochemicals and the world’s second largest producer of ethylene glycol (EG). The Group owns and operates industrial complexes in Kuwait, North America and Europe that annually produce over 6 million tons of ethylene, EG, polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), styrene monomer (SM), paraxylene (PX), heavy aromatics (HA) and benzene (BZ). The EQUATE Group includes EQUATE Petrochemical Company (EQUATE), The Kuwait Olefins Company (TKOC), as well as a number of subsidiaries such as MEGlobal and Equipolymers. Their products are marketed throughout Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Group’s shareholders are Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), Boubyan Petrochemical Company (BPC) and Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company (QPIC). Employing more than 1,500 people worldwide, the EQUATE Group is a leading enterprise that pursues sustainability wherever it operates through partnerships in fields that include the environment, economy and society. Visit www.equate.com for more information.
For inquires:
Ali Al-Hamad
+965 97228611
Diana Kaadan
+965 95553867