Eastern Province Deputy Governor Prince Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Mosaad opened the three-day fifth edition of the Saudi Arabia International Oil & Gas Exhibition (SAOGE 2013) in Dammam.

He took time to meet with a number of major companies as well as other exhibitors and on behalf of SAOGE 2013.

He also presented awards to the sponsors which included HP, Al Futtaim Auto & Machinery (FAMCO) and Draeger.

Piero Zipoli, president of the SAOGE organizer IES Srl, said: “Now in its fifth year, the Saudi Arabia Oil and Gas Exhibition has established itself as the ‘must-attend’ oil and gas event in the region.”

He said the event had been designed to bring together leading lights in the industry and provide attendees with the opportunity to build relationships, hear about the latest technical developments and discover new opportunities in the oil and gas industry.

The event includes the SAOGE “Student Program” which supports the Saudization plan.

Now on its fourth year, the program aims to boost the number of Saudis working in the oil and gas sector by encouraging and developing local students who are given direct access to key industry leaders and experts.

Students taking part in the program gain access to great opportunities to network and establish contacts through the SAOGE 2013 exhibition.

The show plays host to several multinational and regional companies in the oil and gas sector such as Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo Co. (Commercial Group), Bahra Cables, Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, Al-Abdulkarim Holding Co., Abdullah Fouad and Qatar Petroleum.