(Gulf Times) -- Qatar has set a target to achieve annual petrochemical production of 18mn tonnes per year by 2015-16, HE the Deputy Premier Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah has said.
Qatar is investing billions of dollars in new petrochemical ventures through QP, Qapco and their joint ventures. Holder of the world's third largest gas reserves, Qatar is also investing in aluminium and fertiliser factories as the country diversifies its economy away from oil and gas.
Yesterday, Qatar Petroleum and Shell signed a memorandum of understanding to build an estimated $6bn, world's largest, mono-ethylene glycol plant at Ras Laffan.
Al-Attiyah said, ⌠mono-ethylene glycol is a new product in our petrochemical portfolio. This is in line with our venturing into deep downstream products. The proposed MEG plant at Ras Laffan will be the world's largest. It is a big achievement for us.