gulf plastics pipe academy holds inaugural general forum at emirates towers
More than 50 international organisations and individuals from across plastics pipe value chain attend GPPA’s ‘Big Kick Off’
Gulf Plastics Pipe Academy (GPPA), an independent organisation representing all stakeholders in the plastics pipe value chain, has announced that it has today (November 27, 2007) successfully concluded the Big Kick Off, the organisation's inaugural General Forum held at the Emirates Towers in Dubai. The GPPA Big Kick Off provided a platform for potential GPPA members to exchange views on the structure and other fundamental issues affecting the newly created organisation.
"We are very pleased to have gathered such a high level of interest for the GPPA, which exceeded our expectations and gave us many ideas for our direction and integration strategies. The large turnout reflects the high level of commitment among the stakeholders in the greater Middle East region to ensure high-quality standards and best installation practices across the plastics pipe value chain," said Robert J. Lawrence, Managing Director, GPPA.
"The Big Kick Off was a critical step in establishing a solid organisation as it outlined our objectives and priorities for the succeeding years. We are grateful to all that participated in the event and we look forward for their continued cooperation," added Lawrence.
More than fifty organisations and individuals have already signed expressions of interest in becoming members of the GPPA, with interested parties coming from as far as Egypt, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Iran. There are also representatives from India, where a similar initiative known as IPPA is being created.
During the Big Kick Off, potential members formed teams to review the issues identified by the delegates such as the Code of Practice, in addition to creating an action plan for the coming years. The teams will draft recommendations, which will be ratified by the members during the first general assembly to be held in early 2008.
GPPA Managing Director Robert J. Lawrence and Bjorn Klofelt also provided a report on the organisation's progress over the last six months. Six potential members, who have been chosen to be representative of the entire value chain, also gave their opinions on what the GPPA can offer to its members and what the members can contribute to the organisation.
