IANS/Bangalore
Saudi Arabia’s $50bn diversified petro-chemicals major Sabic yesterday opened its technology centre in the city.
Saudi Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Thenayana al-Saud unveiled the $100mn technology centre, spread over 46 acres in the city’s southern suburb.
Ranked among the world’s top firms in the field, Sabic - formally called Saudi Basic Industries Corporation - is a diversified manufacturing company, active in chemicals and intermediates, industrial polymers, fertilisers and metals.
“As a strategic centre of excellence, the research facility will cater to global and regional needs of our diversified customers,” Sabic chief executive Mohamed H al-Mady said on the occasion.
Karnataka governor H R Bhardwaj, union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Srikant Kumar Jena and union Minister of Minority Affairs, Rahman Khan, were present on the occasion.
As part of Sabic’s 17 global research and development centres, the Bangalore facility will conduct innovative research in many related fields, including products and processes for its global customers, with 300 scientists and engineers.
“We are proud to have our facility in Bangalore, which is a world-renowned centre for technology in India,” Saud bin Abdullah said in his inaugural address.
Recalling the historical relations between the two countries, the prince said the Saudi kingdom believed in the future of India, a rapidly developing nation, where partnership and inclusive development is a priority. “India is an important market for us in Asia, which is why our investment here is significant,” said the prince, who is also chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu.
