AS Scotland looks to increase her exports and attract more fee-paying trainees and postgraduate students, now is the time to reinforce the natural affinity between her expertise in oil and gas and the urgent needs of producer countries to restore production and skills after conflict.
The UK oil and gas industry has developed rich experience and leading-edge skills as an energy provider, economic contributor, major employer and environmental steward for the UK. These skills, as well as its record of innovation and workplace safety, could all be shared with the Libyan oil industry.
NOC (National Oil Corporation) chairman Mustafa Sanalla will visit Aberdeen from May 8-9, 2018, accompanied by the NOC director of training, the chairmen of NOC oil and gas producing companies and NOC board members who studied in Scotland. The visit is organised by the Libyan British Business Council (LBBC), in association with Oil and Gas UK, Scottish Enterprise and the British Embassy to Libya, led by Ambassador Frank Baker.
Oil and Gas UK will host a business conference on May 8, at which chairman Sanalla and his team will spell out NOC priorities for the next three years and learn what Scotland has to offer to help achieve those aims. Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce - the biggest in Scotland - will ensure that the Scottish supply chain is well represented.
On May 9, LBBC member Petrofac will receive the NOC at one of their training facilities in Aberdeen, before Robert Gordon University hosts a gathering of Scottish universities – including Heriot Watt, Aberdeen, Dundee and Strathclyde. The aim there is to renew old friendships initiate new ones and to showcase centres of technical and training excellence in Scotland. RGU has extensive expertise in providing strategic advice to oil producing states, with Libya a prime candidate. The outcome sought is a sustained relationship of equals, matching Libyan priorities to Scottish capabilities.
To learn more, members of the Libyan British Business Council, of Oil and Gas UK or of the Aberdeen Chamber will be invited to meet the strong Libyan visiting team in Aberdeen on May 8-9.
The team will give briefings on subjects such as doing business in Libya and new business opportunities, and will be available for small group meetings and introductions.
For more information or to register your interest in attending the May 8, conference,
please contact LBBC executive secretary Pauline Graham via events@lbbc.org.uk