Bahrain to Host Middle East Catalyst Technology Conference

Saudi Aramco's Wasit Gas Plant, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
Saudi Aramco's Wasit Gas Plant, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
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Bahrain to Host Middle East Catalyst Technology Conference

Saudi Aramco's Wasit Gas Plant, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
Saudi Aramco's Wasit Gas Plant, Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)

Middle East Catalyst Technology Conference (ME- CAT 2017) will take place in Bahraini capital, Manama on December 6-7 with the participation of several local, regional and international specialized technicians and engineers.

The conference is organized by Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) in cooperation with the National Oil and Gas Authority.

A large number of experts and engineers interested in the various aspects of the oil industry from all over the world will meet to discuss the technological processes in the petroleum refining industry.

Bahraini Oil Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa stated that the first edition of the series of conferences of the Middle East Catalyst Technology Conference contributes to the development of exchange of information, experience and expertise and a review of best practices in all areas and disciplines of the relationship.

The minister expected the global catalyst market to reach $33 billion dollars by 2018, and pointed that developments in the areas of refining and petrochemicals and chemicals and environmental factors contributed to the growth and increasing demand for motivating factors in world markets.

The participants in the conference will discuss a number of important topics in the oil industry, as well as review ways to develop databases on the performance of this kind of commercial catalytic materials to suit the needs of oil refineries and oil companies in the world. In addition, they will review the best practices in the manufacture of catalytic materials and to invest in developing the oil industry in the region.



Eight Decades of Excellence: Boeing’s Journey in the Kingdom

A Boeing 737 aircraft (Boeing)
A Boeing 737 aircraft (Boeing)
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Eight Decades of Excellence: Boeing’s Journey in the Kingdom

A Boeing 737 aircraft (Boeing)
A Boeing 737 aircraft (Boeing)

President Donald J. Trump’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia spotlighted the enduring ties between the Kingdom and the United States, a relationship built on shared interests in economic development, security, and technological progress, said Asaad AlJomoai, President of Boeing Saudi Arabia, in remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat.

According to AlJomoai, the visit reaffirmed the long-lasting strategic partnership between the two nations in critical areas including aviation and defense sectors, where Boeing is proud to have partnered with Saudi Arabia over the past eight decades.

From the first delivery of a Boeing DC-3 to the Kingdom in the 1940s, to the landmark 2023 order of 121 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, our relationship with the Kingdom reflects a deep, strategic alignment that has grown stronger with time, he said.

Fuelling a Bold Aviation Future

Today, our collaboration supports many aspects of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 - a bold blueprint to diversify the economy, empower youth, and position the Kingdom as a global hub for connectivity and innovation, AlJomoai said.

Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as an aviation powerhouse, driven by record-breaking passenger growth, historic aircraft orders, and visionary infrastructure projects, he added.

AlJomoai highlighted that the launch of Riyadh Air, the Kingdom’s new airline, alongside the expansion of Saudia, signals a national commitment to building a globally competitive air transport sector; between them, Riyadh Air and Saudia have placed orders of up to 121 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

This order will add to the 240 Boeing commercial airplanes that are already in operation across Saudi Arabia. Our partnerships also include leading lessors such as AviLease, which recently announced a direct purchase of 20 Boeing 737-8 passenger aircraft, with options for 10 more. With this agreement for up to 30 737-8s, AviLease becomes the first Saudi Arabian company to purchase the 737 MAX, AlJomoai noted.

These new airplanes will help advance Saudi Arabia’s sustainability targets and global connectivity ambitions, enabling service to over 100 destinations by 2030, and will be integral to aviation mega-projects including King Salman International Airport and the Riyadh Integrated Zone, he said.

Strengthening Local Talent and Industry

At the heart of Saudi Arabia’s aviation transformation lies a deep investment in people, innovation, and industrial capability, AlJomoai explained. The Kingdom is prioritizing advanced manufacturing, skills development, and technology - opening new doors for the next generation of Saudis to shape the future of aerospace, he added.

This momentum is already creating opportunities for a diverse and highly skilled workforce. Over the next 20 years, Boeing forecasts regional demand for nearly 250,000 aviation professionals, including 68,000 pilots, 63,000 aircraft technicians, and 104,000 cabin crew.

According to AlJomoai, meeting this demand will require a strong pipeline of local talent and a commitment to inspire and equip young people with the skills they need to lead.

At Boeing, we’re proud to contribute to this effort. One way we’re doing so is through ‘Pick Up Your Wings and Fly’, a regionally focused social media initiative designed to encourage young women to pursue careers in aerospace, AlJomoai said.

By featuring real stories from women across the aviation industry, the platform offers insight, inspiration, and practical guidance on education, training, and career development for Saudi women. The initiative was launched in Saudi Arabia this year in collaboration with our long-standing academic partner, Alfaisal University, he added.

Our partnership with Alfaisal University extends beyond this initiative, he noted. As a co-founding partner, Boeing provides engineering support, mentorship, and collaborates on hands-on projects such as designing a solar-powered vehicle for international competitions, helping equip students with the skills and experience to innovate on a global stage, AlJomoai affirmed. 

We also work closely with Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU), the world’s largest women’s university, to promote STEM education and create meaningful opportunities for young Saudi women, AlJomoai added. Through joint initiatives, academic support, and research collaboration, we’re helping open doors for future leaders in science, technology, and aerospace, he added.

Future-Focused: Innovation, Technology, and Digitalization

AlJomoai noted that as Saudi Arabia accelerates toward Vision 2030, innovation, technology, and digitalization are taking center stage in the transformation of its aerospace and defense sectors. The Kingdom is making significant strides in building an indigenous aerospace ecosystem - one that not only meets national needs but also contributes to regional and global technological advancement, he stressed.

Boeing plays an active role in supporting these ambitions through long-standing industrial partnerships, he added. This includes our joint venture with Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), which sustains and supports military rotorcraft, contributing to local capability in defense maintenance and logistics. We are also working with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) to explore opportunities in manufacturing aviation-grade metals, as well as advanced plastics and resins, which are critical materials to support the Kingdom’s goal of developing a robust, local aerospace supply chain, said AlJomoai.

Our 15-year partnership with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) further underscores our commitment to innovation, AlJomoai said. Together, we’ve conducted research in areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced materials, computer modeling, solar energy, and industrial water treatment. This collaboration continues to support the Kingdom’s vision of becoming a global hub for research-driven innovation and technological leadership, he noted.

These efforts signal a broader transformation - moving from dependence on imported technologies to building homegrown capabilities and truly establishing Saudi Arabia as a global leader in aviation as both a travel and tourism hub, and as a center for aerospace design, advanced manufacturing, and digital innovation, he said.

Boeing is proud to have been an integral part of this transformation for the past 80 years, and we intend to be a trusted and dedicated partner to the Kingdom for many more years to come, AlJomoai concluded.