The Export Promotion Services Matchmaker Program will lead a Matchmaker Trade Delegation to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and U.A.E., October 20-30, 1997. The Matchmaker will target the Oil, Gas and Petrochemical equipment, services, and technologies industries, including engineering, consulting, and construction equipment sectors. The focus of the delegation will be to match participating U.S. companies with qualified agents, distributors, representatives, licensees, end users, and joint venture partners in these markets. The delegation will be led by Gordon Keller, Project Officer, Matchmaker Program.
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and U.A.E. represent three of the world's largest markets for U.S. Oil, Gas and Petrochemical exports. In Saudi Arabia, the petroleum and petrochemical processing sector is booming. Major new investments in petroleum extraction, transportation, and processing are in the works on the upstream side, and on the downstream side a wide variety of new and expanded projects add to the potential sales opportunities. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh has identified 26 major projects in the petrochemical processing field which are scheduled for development during the period 1997-1999. These projects have an estimated combined value of $10.5 billion, the majority of which are projects of the Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Co. (SABIC), a government controlled company. Currently, U.S. products and services dominate, representing approximately 50% of equipment imports and over 80% of engineering/technical services contracts.
The Kuwaiti economy is driven by oil production and related industries and is expected to continue to grow with an increase in worldwide demand for Kuwaiti crude and refined products. Plans to expand oil production capacity and to establish a large number of gathering centers will provide significant opportunities for suppliers of oil field equipment, process controls, pumps, valves, compressors, security systems and other industrial equipment. Also in heavy demand are maintenance services for existing wells, casing, tubing, and drilling supplies, drilling rigs and related equipment. The projected value of upcoming renovations and expansions is estimated to exceed $5 billion. The U.S. market position is strong in Kuwait and is well positioned to take a large share of the work being tendered in the oil field/petrochemical equipment and service sector. High international competitiveness of U.S. suppliers, the strong presence of U.S. contractors in Kuwait, and the dominance of American technical standards render the market extremely receptive to American products and services.
The United Arab Emirates remains the most dynamic, expanding economy in the Gulf Region. The allocation of $10 billion for the construction and expansion of existing oil and gas field facilities over the next decade is an indication of market potential for state-of-the-art equipment and supplies from U.S. manufacturers and suppliers of oil and gas field machinery/services. Current major projects include: the Ruais Refinery Expansion for Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to increase distillation capacity (projected value: $1.3 billion); the completion of the
Onshore Gas Development scheme designed to expand gas processing facilities to accommodate the future demands for gas; and facilities including gas gathering networks, gas separation and condensate stabilization units, gas treatment and dew pointing units, sulphur recovery units and other adjoining utilities.
The Matchmaker's goal is to gain first-hand market information and provide access to key government officials and potential business partners for new-to-market, new-to-export U.S. oil, gas and petrochemical equipment and service firms desiring to enter and establish gateways in the region.
The mission will begin in Dubai, U.A.E. and allow attendees to take advantage of the Arab Oil and Gas Expo, the region's largest for the gas/oil sector. The mission will then travel to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. At each stop, the Commercial Service will provide an extensive market briefing highlighting opportunities in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries, schedule one-on- one appointments with potential business partners for each participant and arrange a receptions to introduce the participants to key business and government officials. Participants can expect to meet with 8-12 pre-screened business partners per stop.
Participants will spend two days (October 20-21) in Dubai, U.A.E., spending one day at the Arab Oil and Gas Expo and the other day attending Matchmaker appointments. The delegation will allow for additional appointments and/or show touring on the 22nd, then travel to Kuwait in the evening. The delegation will then have two days of meetings (October 23-24) before traveling to Saudi Arabia for meetings in both Dhahran and Riyadh (October 26-30).
Matchmaker promotion will include but not be limited to the following venues: the District Office and Teams; Business America Magazine; relevant trade publications; relevant trade associations; past Matchmaker and Commerce trade mission participants; various in-house and purchased industry lists. The Matchmaker will also be listed in the Federal Register and on ITA's Internet home page.
Recruitment will begin June 20th and will close on September 5, six weeks prior to the start of the mission.
Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.