by Patsy Koh
Singapore — Aramco is expanding its downstream business at home as well as in new markets, particularly in Asia, in its efforts to become the largest integrated energy firm.
As part of its expansion plan, Aramco has moved to a new and bigger office in Singapore at OUE Bayfront. Occupying 28,665 square feet of prime office space with more than 180 workstations, Aramco’s new office houses three business entities — Aramco Asia-Singapore, Aramco Trading Singapore, and S-OIL Singapore — under one roof.
Abdulaziz M. Al-Judaimi, cutting the ribbon, inaugurates the new Aramco office in Singapore, accompanied by (from left) Nader A. Al-Arfaj, Ibrahim Q. Al-Buainain, Ahmed A. Al-Subaey, Ziad T. Al-Murshed, and Anwar A. Al-Hejazi. “Saudi Aramco has significantly expanded its presence in Singapore in recent years with the expansion of the Aramco Asia-Singapore office and the setup of Aramco’s first international trading office in Singapore,” said Al-Judaimi.
Singapore Critical for Expansion in Eastern Asia
Abdulaziz M. Al-Judaimi, senior vice president of Downstream, inaugurated the new office, accompanied by Ahmed A. Al-Subaey, vice president of Marketing, Sales, and Supply Planning, Ibrahim Q. Al-Buainain, president and CEO of Aramco Trading, Ziad T. Al-Murshed, vice president of International Operations, Anwar A. Al-Hejazi, president of Aramco Asia, and Nader A. Al-Arfaj, managing director of Aramco Asia-Singapore.
“In line with our plans to expand refining operations and petrochemical output, with a focus on China, India, and Southeast Asia, Aramco has significantly expanded its presence in Singapore in recent years with the expansion of the Aramco Asia-Singapore office and the setup of Aramco’s first international trading office in Singapore,” said Al-Judaimi. “Our new expanded office in Singapore underlines the importance of Singapore as a strategic location and positions Aramco well for future growth and expansion in the Asia Pacific region.”
Singapore is the leading oil trading hub in Asia (third largest in the world after New York and London) and is among the world’s five largest refining centers, with its chemicals and energy industry within the global top 10.
Besides Aramco Asia-Singapore, Aramco Trading Singapore and S-OIL Singapore, Singapore is also home to a world leading synthetic rubber company ARLANXEO — a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by members of management of Aramco Trading, S-OIL, and Aramco affiliates and joint ventures such as ARLANXEO, PRefChem, FREP, and Motiva, as well as representatives from Bahri, the Singapore Economic Development Board, and Enterprise Singapore.
Aramco’s presence in Singapore dates back to 1993, when a representative office was set up to provide services to sales and business development for Saudi crude and refined petroleum products in the Far East region.
In 2014, Aramco Asia-Singapore was established to provide crude oil marketing intelligence, material sourcing, supply chain logistics, inspection, and other engineering services.
— The Arabian Sun: October 2, 2019 | Vol. LXXIV, No. 38