A training centre that will take care of the needs of the growing shipping industry in the Gulf is to be set up soon, a Saudi Aramco official said.

The company’s industrial services executive director Amer Al Sulaim said the $2.5-billion project of the Aramco-backed Arabian Gulf Ports Association would provide “the necessary impetus” to the industry.
He was making a keynote speech at the opening of the three-day Workboat Gulf Exhibition and Conference at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
“While the industry is expanding, there are not yet enough facilities available or the expertise to handle such an expansion. That is why we have to have such a project that will involve expertise from all the Gulf states.”
He said Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, in particular, had been the “pillar” of the maritime industry in the GCC.
“Both these nations have seen the most rapid growth so they are the most important members of this project.”
He said expertise from the other GCC states was also of vital importance and was needed for the successful implementation of the project.
Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro, who opened the conference, said the show was a significant event that reflected the unique position enjoyed by Bahrain as a leading centre for manufacturing ships and boats.
He said it was gratifying to see well-known international maritime companies as exhibitors at the event.
Exhibitors from around 25 countries took part in the show. Bahrain’s participation was led by Asry - the Arab Shipbuilding and repair Yard.