Saudi petrochem firms are developing world-scale plants to produce a wide range of high value and specialty chemicals, notably at the massive Sadara and Petro Rabigh 2 projects (MEES, 21 June). Besides adding to their capabilities as major ‘commodity’ polyolefins producers, these new products are central to Saudi Arabia’s plans for economic diversification (MEES, 25 January).

Saudi Aramco treasurer Khalid al-Dabbagh says the firm is targeting domestic SMEs. Mr Dabbagh says that in the past two years Aramco has provided engineering help to 78 Saudi industrial projects including “advanced factories for thermal processors, pipelines and valves” and that the company’s Wa’ed entrepreneurship initiative is providing financial and technical to help SMEs establish. (CONTINUED - 425 WORDS)