Regional and international companies are keen to tap into the Middle East's refining and petrochemicals sectors.

These firms are showing massive interest to display products at Middle East Petrotech 2008, to be held from Monday to Thursday at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre.

Demand for space at the event reflects the significant number of major projects for new refineries or expansions in the region, as it strives to capitalise on its geographical location and reliable access to abundant feedstocks and become a major refining and products export centre.

Key participants at Petrotech 2008 include, Bapco, Banagas, GPIC, ExxonMobil, Dow Chemical Company, Foster Wheeler, JGC Corporation, Kuwait National Petroleum Corporation, Qatar Petroleum, Saudi Aramco, UOP, Yokogawa and Xenel in addition to a dedicated UK pavilion and smaller specialist suppliers and distributors.

More than 156 companies from 22 countries will attend. The associated high-level technical conference, which runs parallel to the exhibition of products and services features 12 executive keynote speakers and some 80 plus cutting-edge presentations.

Under the theme 'Refining/Petrochemical Integration: The Way for Future Growth' it will explore issues relating to synergies between the refining and petrochemical sectors and the technology, management, equipment, safety, health and environment, manufacturing and economy of refining and petrochemicals.

Executive speakers will address strategic expansion plans, ongoing policy developments to upgrade, integrate, modernise and expand refining facilities.

The conference will open with an official ceremony on Sunday at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain, Hotel and Spa including a keynote addresses by Oil and Gas Affairs Minister and National Oil and Gas Authority chairman Dr Abdulhussain Mirza.

'With a highly-technical conference programme, senior keynote speakers and an exhibition of international significance, Petrotech 2008 will help ensure that downstream professionals in the Gulf and throughout the Middle East remain at the forefront of the latest developments in our industry,' said conference executive chairman and Kuwait Oil Company planning and gas deputy managing director Mohammed Ahmad Husain.

Since its inauguration in 1996, the Middle East Petrotech series has established itself as a key industry forum for these highly significant sectors of the region's economy.

In 2006, a record total of 4,990 trade visitors and conference delegates attended the event, marking a 9pc increase over Middle East Petrotech 2003.

Middle East Petrotech 2008 is organised by Arabian Exhibition Management in conjunction with London-based Overseas Exhibition Services, both members of Allworld Exhibitions.-TradeArabia News Service