DHAHRAN, 21 May 2008 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday opened Saudi Aramco’s 75th anniversary celebrations at its premises here and commended the company’s role in providing adequate oil supplies to ease the international energy crisis.
“This Saudi company has been trying efficiently to support the Kingdom’s international policy in the field of providing suitable energy to confront global crises and, God willing, it will continue to play the same role,” the king said in his opening address at the ceremony.
Bahrain’s King Hamad ibn Isa Al-Khalifa, Oman’s Deputy Premier Fahd ibn Mahmoud Al-Saeed and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah attended the ceremony. Eastern Province Gov. Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd and Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali Al-Naimi received King Abdullah and other GCC leaders.
In his keynote speech, Abdullah thanked Saudi Aramco for providing energy for the national development. “I take this opportunity to thank Aramco and its present and previous employees,” he said. In addition, the king emphasized the importance of Islam as a unifying force and called it the greatest blessing from God. “We are proud of it.”
Abdullah also referred to the historic decision taken by King Abdul Aziz to sign the concession agreement between Saudi Arabia and Standard Oil of California in 1933, protecting the Kingdom’s interests including training and employing Saudis. He said the government’s flexible policy toward Saudi Aramco had played a big role in its tremendous progress.
Earlier, King Abdullah, accompanied by GCC leaders, visited an exhibition on the Kingdom’s oil industry where Saudi Aramco’s President and CEO Abdallah S. Jum’ah explained to them the significance of some historic pictures that are being displayed there. The king later laid the foundation for the King Abdul Aziz Knowledge Center, which will be established close to the first oil well.
In his welcome speech, Al-Naimi, who is also chairman of Saudi Aramco’s board of directors, said the Kingdom has earned the respect of the world “because of its positive, moderate economic and oil policies.”
He thanked the Saudi leadership for its generous support to the company since it was founded in 1933, adding that King Abdullah launched seven giant petroleum projects during the past 10 years.
Jum’ah spoke about his company’s history and development. “As a result of King Abdullah’s instructions, our company has made rapid strides in oil and gas exploration, production and building refining, marketing and shipping networks, developing petrochemical industries, acquiring advanced technology and training national cadre,” he said.
The festivities at the headquarters of Saudi Aramco in the Eastern Province, which holds much of the Kingdom’s oil, included short plays, traditional sword dances and a rare show featuring school children in bright, long dresses swaying together on stage to patriotic music. Aramco employees will celebrate the anniversary in 11 different sites today with a variety of programs. Long serving employees will also be honored.
The theme of the celebrations is “Energy for Generations” and will focus on the human side of the company as well as its commitment to the Kingdom and global prosperity.
“The 75th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate Saudi Aramco’s great achievements over the years and to highlight the company’s role in contributing to the future of the Kingdom and the world economy,” said Al-Naimi.
“We view this as an opportunity to connect the company’s remarkable past with the exciting promise of the future,” added Jum’ah.
“The story of Aramco is one of partnership, not only between a group of US oil companies and Saudi Arabia but also among generations of individual Americans, Saudis and the citizens of dozens of other nations,” he said.
