Egyptian minister receives GPIC president

Cairo, Apr. 27 (BNA): Egyptian Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Dr. Essam Fayed received Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC)'s and Arab Fertiliser Association (AFA)'s President Dr. Abdulrahman Jawahery in Cairo. Abu Qir Fertilizers and Industries Chairman and Managing Director Saad El-Maati and AFA Secretary General Mohamed Abdullah Zain along with Ministry Officials were present on the occasion. The two sides discussed issues of common interest and those relating to the future of the chemical fertiliser industry as well as its role in providing food, its role in saving energy and ways to increase the contribution of Egyptian companies for AFA-hosted events. H.E. the Minister spoke about the major role of the AFA in organising meetings and conferences, which contribute to closer cooperation between participants. He said such events also play a major role in the transfer of knowledge and giving those working in the industry an opportunity to witness the latest developments taking place in the industry. He said their work is no longer confined to the role of production and export, but also in the preservation of the environment. Dr. Jawahery thanked Dr. Fayed for being the host and the patron of the next AFA conference in Cairo and said he was thankful for the Minister’s support of the association and its work. Dr. Jawahery said the upcoming conference would be attended by a large number of participants interested in the fertiliser sector. Among them would be leaders from different Arab and international fertilizer companies and affiliated bodies. He said the AFA plays a major role in helping member companies find solutions to their problems through communication and exchange of expertise. This, he said, is one of the pillars on which Egyptian companies became members of the AFA nearly 40 years ago. He said the association is seeking to attract Gulf and foreign companies to invest in the fertilizer industry in Egypt and other Arab countries because of it provides 70 per cent of the food for the Arab world. He said Arab countries, including Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and the Gulf States produce millions of tons of nitrogenous fertilizer, which the world needs to produce food. These countries, he said, have the potential of gas and raw materials’ availability as well as cheap labour and transportation. He said Egypt began production of nitrogen fertilizer decades ago and now has 18 huge factories producing nearly nine million tonnes, of which 80 per cent is exported. Dr. Jawahery said the AFA is today an integral part of the global systems for the manufacture of fertilisers, and is partnering with the International Fertiliser Industry Association (IFA) in many areas of concern. He pointed out that Arab countries have the largest share of the world’s fertiliser industry, which had modernised and developed itself over the last few decades. Dr. Jawahery said sales of fertilizers to Arab countries rose by 2 per cent, to reach 232 million tonnes, despite the slowdown in global demand. The total production of fertilizers and raw materials in the Arab region in 2013, he added, amounted to about 88 million tonnes, with exports exceeding 55 million tonnes. The AFA was founded in 1975 under the umbrella of the Arab Economic Unity Council. It has as its members Arab institutions and companies working in the manufacture and trade of fertilizers and related fields, and has a membership of more than 166 companies from 32 countries. The aim of the AFA is to assist members in dealing with production issues through the exchange of information and experiences and documenting technical information as well as economic, trade and agricultural data on the fertiliser industry as well as to support and develop technical and vocational training programmes for workers. Dr. Jawahery is also Chairman of the IFA, which has a membership of more than 540 companies from all over the world. The IFA board consists of representatives from several countries whose objective is to implement activities and events to promote the production and optimal use of nutrients for plants and to maintain an increase in agricultural production. Dr. Jawahery is currently in Egypt as part of the delegation of His Majesty King Hamad, who is visiting the Country on the invitation of the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. The Royal visit aims to foster closer cooperation between the two brotherly countries and confirm Bahrain’s support for the Arab Republic of Egypt in the light of major political and economic challenges the nation is facing.