News

The National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of cooperation with the Arab Energy Forum (AEF) on March 27. The two sides agreed to hold periodical meetings on a rotation basis and its annual meeting in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Mr. Ali A. Jabar Al Sawad, General Manager of Strategies and Planning Affairs signed the MoU on behalf of NOGA while Dr. Abdullah Ebrahim Al Quwaiz, Secretary-General of the forum signed on behalf of AEF, in the presence of AEF chairman Dr Majid Al Muneef and Mr. Faihan M. Al Faihani - Director of Oil Policies and Statistics at NOGA.

The MoU was based on the principle of cooperation for the benefit of the energy sector in the Arab countries, and supported dialogue between workers and other interested parties in the energy sector in these countries. The MoU listed, among others, hosting AEF annual meetings and one of its committee meetings in Bahrain. The MoU also said NOGA would facilitate approval of competent authorities in Bahrain for AEF meetings and activities in the country. It also stated the possibility of AEF opening a liaison office in Bahrain in coordination with NOGA at least two months prior to the meeting date so as to allow it to make the necessary contacts to expedite it.

The AEF meetings were held several times in Bahrain over the past years. The most recent event was held at the Gulf Hotel last year, which provided an opportunity for dialogue between energy professionals, specialists and other interested parties from Arab countries. The meetings are expected to develop the Arab energy sector and increase the productivity of workers in the sector, making use of the recommendations and observations on the developments in the vital sector, which primarily contributed to Arab economies.