New Bapco milestone

His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, yesterday laid the foundation stone of the modernisation project of Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) refinery, which is considered the biggest industrial project in the history of the Kingdom.

During a celebration held under his patronage in Awali yesterday, HRH the Premier stressed perpetual growth in Bahrain in the prosperous era of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He underlined the government’s resolve to fast-pace development by supporting giant ventures aimed at serving the industrial sector and backing growth. He underscored the importance of Bapco refinery modernisation project as one of the major national ventures aimed at developing the oil industry system infrastructure and supporting the national economy.

HRH the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince listened to a briefing by the Oil Minister on the project, its importance, the implementation phases and its expected economic and developmental impact. HRH the Premier lauded the project, pointing out that the oil sector is at the threshold of a new phase ushering in a promising future. He underlined the major development projects in the sector which will have a great impact in backing the national strategies to achieve sustainable economic growth. He also underscored the government’s keenness to boost investments in the oil and gas sector and use their revenues in fast-tracking development and catering for citizens’ needs.

HRH the Premier and HRH the Crown Prince toured the photo gallery which documents the historical phases of Bapco and its modernisation process. They praised contributions of the national competencies in the oil and gas sector and their pioneering achievements which placed Bahrain among advanced countries in terms of coping with global development and the latest technologies in oil exploration and drilling. They pointed out the efforts made to enhance production and boost competence and competitiveness of the oil sector.

They said Bahrain, which is considered the first country in the region where oil was discovered, is ushering, by laying the foundation stone of the major project, into a new phase in modern oil industries, a scene that reflects capability of the Bahraini people to achieve in all fields. The celebration kicked off with a speech by the Minister of Oil Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bapco Board Chairman, in which he welcomed HRH the Prime Minister and HRH the Crown Prince, lauding constant support of the leadership to the national edifice.

He paid tribute to the work team in charge of carrying out the project, led by Bapco Board Chairman and Head of the committee in charge of the project Dr. Dawood Naseef. Bapco Chief Executive Dr Peter Bartlett spoke about the strategic modernisation project and its importance in backing the sustainable development efforts in the Kingdom. Then, the poet Daij Khalifa Al Benali read a poem in which he welcomed HRH the Premier and HRH the Crown Prince. A documentary was also shown on the history of the giant edifice and its national role in meeting the aspirations of Bahrain.