The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) has launched the GPCA Legacy Initiative and GPCA Legacy Award “Al Rowad” dedicated to the pioneers of the chemical and petrochemical industry in the Gulf.

First of its kind in the region, the annual programme will honour individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to foster and strengthen the development of the chemical and petrochemical industry in one or more of the GCC states, said a statement from the company.

It will further aim to recognise, preserve, and make known the achievements of those individuals who set the foundations for a regional chemical industry, and played a pivotal role in establishing its position as an important global player, it said.

This year GPCA will be honouring the late Dr Ghazi Al Gosaibi (1940 – 2010), Yousif Al Shirawi (1927 – 2012) and Abdulbaqi Al Nouri (1929 – 2010), all of whom would be recognised as Arabian Gulf Chemical Pioneers and would be posthumously bestowed with the GPCA Legacy Award “Al Rowad”.

Dr Ghazi Al Gosaibi, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Electricity (1976-1983) and first chairman of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic), will be recognised for his instrumental role in founding the company, and leading it into a path of great development and success.

Yousif Al Shirawi, Minister of Development and Industry, Bahrain (1971 – 1995) will be awarded for the key role he played in establishing a petrochemical industry in the country, in addition to the formation of the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC), the first and only regional GCC joint venture.

The award will also be bestowed upon Abdulbaqi Al Nouri, former chairman and managing director of Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), for spearheading the development of Kuwait’s chemical fertilizer industry and laying out the strategy that PIC followed to become an important manufacturer of aromatics and olefins.

Dr Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, secretary general, GPCA, said: “These prominent individuals were the first to realise and explore the potential of setting up a chemical industry in the region by challenging the status quo, by overcoming any obstacle on the way and illuminating the road for the next generations to come.”

“Through this initiative, GPCA seeks to pay tribute to their life and achievements, foster national pride and inspire current and future generations to emulate outstanding individuals from our industry’s past,” he said.

“We believe that the history of the industry in our region is an important shared legacy that brings us together and encourages us to advance our industry even further. In addition, this initiative brings attention to a shared heritage, and thereby strives to strengthen the sense of community among GPCA member companies,” he added.