|
Iran hosts international oil, gas, and petrochemicals exhibition every spring, during which many companies and organizations concerned with oil industry are offered with a good opportunity to exchange their achievements and experiences. The main question is about necessity of arranging such exhibitions and their consequence for such a specialistic field as oil industry. What demands and needs are reflected through presence of 647 domestic and 489 foreign companies at the 11th International Oil, Gas, and Petrochemicals Exhibition?
Oil Show Should Be Effective
Ali Hosseini, director of a company active in oil and gas field, refers to Iran’s old experiences in the field and says, “Future outlook for the world shows that oil and gas demand will be constantly on the rise and, therefore, Iran’s 13-percent share of world oil and 18-percent share of global gas reserves has bolstered its status in international energy markets.
Iran, as the second biggest oil producer among member countries of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will meet about 13 percent of total global oil demand over the next 20 years. Therefore, the country should give special priority to development of investment in the oil industry.”
He added that holding such exhibitions can offer many opportunities to oil industry officials, but the important point is not solely identification of capabilities, but implementing all agreements that are reached during such events. “We must see what are the most important factors preventing realization of those agreements and find solutions to them. On the sidelines of the exhibition, we must arrange specialized sessions about oil industry issues attended by experts and specialists in the field,” he opined.
Hosseini emphasized that the 11th International Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals Exhibition can have more effect if it limited to fundamental factors and could attract all organizations related to export and security of oil products.
17% Growth in Exhibition
An official of the 11th International Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals Exhibition told Petroenergy Information Network that a 17-percent growth in number of participating domestic and foreign companies shows enthusiasm of domestic and foreign companies to take part in the event.
He added, “In addition to its international aspect, the oil sector enjoys other aspects in terms of supplying needed energy to the world and also enjoys a special position in providing needed foreign exchange for the country, creating jobs and supplying financial resources in rials for the Iranian government to enable investments and provision of new services. So far, more than 200,000 jobs have been created due to various oil industry activities, which has no parallel in other economic sectors. Therefore, since the Iranian oil industry cannot survive without interaction with the outside world and competition with similar oil companies at an international level, efforts made to modernize it are among the most important issues that should be taken into consideration during the 11th International Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals Exhibition.”
Specialized Sections of Oil Show
Based on reports issued by oil show headquarters, the current year’s exhibition will comprise 10 specialized sections, which include: 1. general contractors; 2. engineering and construction contractors; 3. consultant engineers; 4. information technology; 5. educational and research centers; 6. oil industry equipment manufacturers; 7. (technical and commercial) services; 8. optimization of oil consumption and environmental protection; 9. producers of oil and petrochemical products; and 10. producers to equipment for oil industry processes. They will seek to realize such goals as cooperation among industrialists, introducing working capacities for supplying parts and equipment, establishing needed grounds for creating new jobs, encouraging contractor and consultancy centers, attraction of international investments as well as holding specialized technical and commercial seminars on the sidelines of the oil show.
Information Services
Officials of the oil show say that the exhibition’s website has been launched in December 2005 to facilitate information on the 11th exhibition. The site includes news, information, regulations and rules of registration as well as program of seminars, cost of stands, information about participants and frequently asked questions.
Computer sets can be found in various parts of the exhibition and to give information about participants, number of stands, type of products presented, addresses of companies, as well as entrance and exit gates. The exhibition is also equipped with visitors’ guide, opinion poll stations, and environmental maps. A news service is also established at hall No. 35 with such facilities as Internet, telephone, facsimile, and well-fare facilities for reporters.
In addition, the Petroenergy Information Network will again be present at the exhibition using all its capacity and facilities to provide good news coverage of the event.
Best Opportunity for Government
Hossein Aslani, who is active in a private company active in oil industry, says, “the current year’s exhibition could be the best opportunity for the government to give transparent and clear-cut explanation about viewpoints of the new government about oil supply and help both the state-run and private sectors. The private sector is still largely in dark about viewpoints of new authorities of oil industry.”
He added that the exhibition can take effective steps in paving the way for the implementation of the development plan of the country because it clears the way for investors and directors of various economic sectors by showing capabilities and, therefore, will create more opportunities for the success of the country’s development plans.
Another expert on energy also noted that the oil show can promote Iran’s position with regard to gas supply in the world because due to reduction of gas reserve in the world and existence of huge gas resources in Iran, the country could enjoy better position in international scene with regard to gas production and export. However, achieving rightful status of the country would require identification of consumption centers and interaction with those centers through such exhibitions.
Face-to-face Contact with Oil Industry Officials
Official in charge of a foreign stand noted that one of the most important features of the oil show is face-to-face contact with Iranian oil industry officials and senior authorities of Ministry of Petroleum. In this way, foreign companies will be offered with an opportunity to express their problems from close range and officials will come to grips with those problems. On the other hand, foreign companies will know about expectations of Iranian oil industry officials and this will provide a good interaction between the two sides.
Also, official in charge of a domestic company’s stand at the oil show noted that publicity about the 11th International Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals Exhibition is not as widespread as former exhibitions.
He said, “Oil show officials could have created an atmosphere under which the youth and high school students could have seen the achievements as well as capabilities of their country in this field to inspire them with more hope and pride.”
|
Start Printing