Mohamed Al-Mady, vice chairman and CEO of Sabic and chairman of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), has been named the world’s most influential person in the chemicals industry.

Al-Mady is one of two key GPCA figures who have made it to the list of Top 40 Power Players in the field of chemicals worldwide that is published annually by the  London-based international industry magazine, ICIS Chemical Business.

He was ranked No.2  in the top 40 list in 2006. The other GPCA figure in the Top 40 Power Players list for 2007 is Hamad Al-Terkait, vice chairman of GPCA and president and CEO of Equate, who has been ranked No 11.

GPCA is a non-profit organisation that was established to boost the petrochemicals and chemicals sector in the Gulf.

The announcement by ICIS Chemical Business is a major boost to the GPCA, which has its headquarters in Dubai, and comes close on the heels of the successful conclusion of its second annual forum in December 2007, said a statement.

Both Al-Mady and Al-Terkait, who represent founding members of the GPCA, have won recognition by ICIS for being significant players on the world chemicals stage.

Commenting on the honour bestowed on the two key GPCA personalities, Abdullah Bin Zaid Al-Hagbani, secretary general of GPCA, said: “This is an important milestone for both the GPCA and the region, and further reinforces our mandate as the regional representative for the petrochemicals and chemicals industry. That Mr Al-Mady and Mr Al-Terkait have again been recognised as leaders in their field is ample testimony to the fact that this region is fast emerging as a global hub for the petrochemicals and chemicals industry”.

The top 40 power-players, selected by the magazine includes the most influential figures in and around the chemicals industry, from industry executives to association leaders, politicians to environmentalists. – TradeArabia News Service