Two events in recent weeks underscored Sabic’s resolve to strengthen its presence in strategic markets.

One was Sabic’s high-profile participation at the exhibition “Saudi Arabia in India” and the other was the opening of the company’s office in Turkey. King Abdullah, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, toured the Indian exhibition in New Delhi, for which Sabic was the principal sponsor. The exhibition showcased Saudi products and was held to mark the king’s visit. Saudi products, including Sabic’s world-leading petrochemicals, were also in the spotlight in China, Malaysia and Pakistan, the other countries he visited. 
King Abdullah lauded Sabic’s industrial experience and its significant role in supporting the Saudi economy. At the company’s stand in India he listened to a briefing by Sabic vice president for shared services, Mansour Al-Kharboush, on its strategic plans and its interest in the Indian market.
Sabic started its business in India in 1983 with the production of methanol.  Since then it has maintained a consistent and growing presence in the region.  Sabic India is headquartered in New Delhi, with offices in Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore in addition to the Research & Technology Centre in Vadodara. 
India is one of Sabic’s strategic markets for chemicals, polymers and fertilisers. Sabic India is building long-term relations with consumers in these markets and serves the primary objective of establishing a local presence for Sabic and bringing it closer to its customers. Sabic India has also expanded its coverage into the neighboring countries of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bhutan, where there is market potential.
Sabic’s Turkish office was opened by the chairman of the Royal Commission of Jubail and Yanbu and Sabic chairman, Prince Saud Ibn Abdullah Ibn Thunayan Al-Saud 
Dignitaries present included Mohamed Al-Mady, Sabic vice chairman and CEO, and Dr Mohammad Al-Hussaini, Saudi ambassador to Turkey.
In celebration of this event, Sabic held a reception and dinner party for over 200 important customers.
In his remarks, Prince Saud said: “I praise the strong relations enjoyed between Saudi Arabia and Turkey.  In particular, the economic progress in the downstream industries sector where Sabic is proud to co-operate.  Sabic endeavors to further develop this collaboration as much as possible.
 “Sabic has been expanding its presence in Turkey since the 1980s.  Within the Turkish marketplace its sales represent 12 per cent polyethylene and polypropylene, 5 per cent polystyrene and 15 per cent of chemical products.  Sabic looks forward to increasing these figures in line with Turkey’s economic growth.”
 The Turkish marketplace is one of Sabic’s important strategic markets, the reason why it is keen to strengthen its presence.  With a view to providing support and prompt delivery of products and services, Sabic opened warehouses first in Istanbul and subsequently in Mersin. It plans to further develop its operations in Turkey to increase its sales to 600,000 tonnes of polymers and 600,000 tonnes of chemicals, within the next five years.