Liwa Plastics Industries Complex to open in 2020

MUSCAT, MAY 7 - The large-scale Liwa Plastics Industries Complex will be opened in 2020, said Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Oil and Gas. He was speaking to reporters after the inauguration of the fifth edition of Oman Plast 2018 at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre on Monday. According to him, the plastic industry augurs well for small and medium enterprises in the Sultanate. “Many of the plastic products are generally small in size. The investment required for starting such businesses is comparatively less,” he said. Ahmed bin Saleh al Jahdhami, CEO of the state-owned Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries, said that around 60 per cent of the work had already been done. “Commissioning could then take place as planned in 2020,” he said. Once it is commissioned, the new project will transform Orpic’s product mix, create new business opportunities, generate significant employment opportunities and support the development of a downstream plastics industry. “With the global market for plastics growing, the project will firmly reinforce Orpic as a recognised player in the international petrochemicals marketplace, enabling Oman for the first time to produce polyethylene,” Al Jahdhami said. The trade expo showcases international brands of the latest technology and machineries used in manufacturing of plastics, rubber, petrochemicals, printing and packaging. Organised by Silver Star, the inauguration ceremony was attended by diplomats, government officials, businessmen and people from different walks of life. The participating countries are China, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Iran, Oman, Taiwan, Turkey and the UAE. According to a statement issued by the organising company, the plastics industry has been maintaining sustained growth. Markets in the Middle East and Africa are expected to deliver noteworthy gains right up to 2018. The polyethylene production capacities in the Gulf region will increase from 10.7 million tonnes in 2009 to 21.5 million tonnes by the year 2018, an increase of slightly over 100 per cent. SAMUEL KUTTY