Strategic focus on South America
Argentina Supplier Forum strengthens connections and helps fuel opportunity
“We are actively seeking new partners to join Aramco’s world-class supplier network, where they can bring their expertise and products to help drive forward industry leading projects.”
Highlighting Argentina’s dynamic energy sector, Aramco Americas recently held its latest “Doing Business with Aramco” Supplier Forum in the capital Buenos Aires, bringing together nearly 90 participants from Argentinean and South American companies to exchange ideas and explore projects with Aramco.
The gathering, hosted in partnership with Grupo Argentino de Proveedores Petroleros (GAPP) and Camara Argentina de Proveedores de la Industria Petro Energetica (CAPIPE), allowed local firms to connect with Aramco Procurement and Supply Chain Management (P&SCM) experts, explore potential collaborations, and delve into various opportunities from sourcing high quality materials and services to new technologies.
Strategic objective
“We are actively seeking new partners to join Aramco’s world-class supplier network, where they can bring their expertise and products to help drive forward industry leading projects,” said Ammar I. Mubarak, director of the P&SCM Department for Aramco Americas. “Engaging with potential partners in the Latin America region has become a strategic objective for us.”
Mubarak opened the forum by welcoming participants and providing an overview of Aramco and the role of the P&SCM Department in the Americas. He was followed by Leonardo Brkusic, executive director of GAPP, who emphasized the forum’s role as a platform to showcase Argentine companies and further promote the internationalization of domestic firms.
Localization opportunities
Sameer F. Yousef, supervisor of P&SCM’s Procurement Division, covered localization opportunities and Aramco’s In-Kingdom Total Value Add initiative, which is designed to drive supply chain efficiency and value across the company’s operations, among other objectives.
Anas M. Al-Reshaidan, supervisor of Aramco’s Contracting Department, explained service supplier registration and qualifications in the Kingdom, and reminded attendees to remain alert for phishing scams and other fraudulent communications, and only communicate using legitimate Aramco channels.
Other Aramco representatives discussed the company’s diverse portfolio of projects and focus on quality and safety, innovation, and lower carbon opportunities. The manufacturer qualification and supplier registration process was also explained.
The forum featured a lively panel discussion and Q&A session with Aramco presenters answering participants’ questions on a diverse range of topics, as well as individual breakout sessions with potential vendors to answer specific questions and provide further guidance.
As the forum ended, participants shared their excitement about potential opportunities to work with Aramco. Aramco Americas’ P&SCM teams will continue engaging with these potential partners, aligning their offerings with ongoing Aramco projects. Throughout the year, the P&SCM team organizes multiple forums like this one to facilitate dialogue and continue to strengthen Aramco’s business network.
Caption for top photo: Ammar I. Mubarak, director, Aramco Americas P&SCM, provides the opening remarks at the “Doing Business with Aramco” supplier forum in Buenos Aires.
Building bridges with Argentina’s IAPG
While in Argentina, the Aramco P&SCM team held a meeting with leaders from the Instituto Argentino del Petroleo y del Gas (IAPG), one of the country’s largest and longest serving energy industry associations. Aimed at fostering collaboration and strengthening industry connections, the engagement was marked by insightful discussions with a focus on materials, technologies and services, as well as the current landscape of the industry in the region.
The successful gathering served to reinforce the value of partnership and underscored the P&SCM team’s commitment to continue building ties with key organizations, helping ensure Aramco’s leading role in the sector’s global value chains.