Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) signed an agreement with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASc) in Beijing to promote cooperation in scientific research, knowledge exchange and personnel training.

The agreement was signed by Ernesto Occhiello, SABIC executive vice president (technology and innovation) and Ding Zhongli, vice president of CASc and president of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), a SABIC official said on Saturday.

Commenting on the agreement, Mohamed Al-Mady, SABIC vice chairman and CEO said: “As the growth engine for SABIC in Asia, we continually explore new areas of transformation for China, in China, and with China. We are supporting reform by providing customers and markets with the solutions they need as China progresses along its unique path of development.”

He said the partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the lynchpin of China’s drive to explore and harness high technology and natural sciences, will elevate SABIC’s efforts in helping to make the “China Dream” an enduring reality.

Ding Zhongli, vice president of CASc, said in a statement: “We are pleased to be partnering with a leader in petrochemical and chemical technology innovation to combine our individual expertise to advance science and technology in China for the betterment of society and modern living.

“As we strive to build CASc into a world-class scientific research base for cultivating talent and promoting the development of China’s new technology industries, we will continue to partner with international players like SABIC who demonstrate strong commitment and innovation in their sustainable solutions,” Zhongli added.