Dow Corning, one of the world's largest silicon-based materials developers and manufacturers, has established a Middle East headquarters and commercial entity in Manama, Bahrain.

The company's Bahrain operations will help Dow Corning provide the region's vibrant construction, textiles, petrochemical and oil and gas industries with silicon-based materials and solutions.

The Bahrain office will house engineers, chemists and sales professionals with diverse expertise in silicon-based technology.  The company expects there will be as many as 20 employees working out of the office within the next year.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, chief executive, Bahrain Economic Development Board, welcomed Dow Corning to Bahrain. "The kingdom's unique access to other GCC countries, its highly skilled and competitive national workforce and some of the lowest operating costs in the region, make Bahrain an excellent base from which to develop new business opportunities in a cost-effective and sustainable way," he said.

Dr Stephanie A Burns, Dow Corning's chairman, president and CEO, said: "The Middle East is growing rapidly and quickly diversifying its business footprint. We recognise the region's growing impact on the global economy and are now better positioned to share the benefits of Dow Corning's silicon-based materials and technology to help the region continue to grow and compete in the global economy over the long-term."
 
Active in the region

Dow Corning has been active in the region for many years.  Its silicone construction materials are being used in the construction of the world's tallest building, the Burj Dubai in Dubai.  The company has worked closely with the building's structural engineers to ensure the building can withstand the region's high winds and extreme heat, some of the biggest challenges construction projects face in the region.

"We have done extremely well to grow our business in this region in the last few years, even when servicing from afar.  Now is our chance to drive business forward through both Dow Corning and our Xiameter brands," said Jean-Paul Mollie, Dow Corning's president for the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.  "With the special challenges of high temperatures, sand and wind, there will be no end of uses for the incredible silicon atom in this area.  The potential is yet to be realised."

Dow Corning is seeking collaboration opportunities and partnerships to offer innovative products and build local know-how and capacity.

The inauguration of the regional office was performed by Bahrain's Minister for Industry and Commerce, Dr Hassan Fakhro.