The event, organized by the Union of Petroleum, Gas, and Petrochemical
Exporters in the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture,
took place on Saturday, February 16. Abbaszadeh acknowledged that Nematzadeh’s
contributions continue to be more impactful than many current industry leaders.
He emphasized that Nematzadeh has been incredibly generous with his
expertise, providing invaluable advice to NPC, while still actively supporting
the industry’s development. Abbaszadeh also noted that Nematzadeh continues to
play a crucial role alongside the private sector, offering guidance on project
selections and sharing his wealth of knowledge across all parts of the
industry.
"Engineer Nematzadeh is an unattainable standard in the
petrochemical industry," Abbaszadeh stated. "We strive to reach some
of this standard, but it is truly a challenging task."
Reflecting on Nematzadeh’s early contributions, Abbaszadeh recalled
that he had laid out a strategic 25-year plan for the industry, a vision that
has yet to be replicated. Many petrochemical complexes and projects were
planned during his leadership, with 12 million tons of production capacity
being developed during his tenure.
Under his leadership, $4 billion in investments were made annually, a
remarkable achievement that facilitated the establishment of specialized
companies for training, transportation, repairs, utilities, and other essential
infrastructure, which continue to benefit the industry.
Abbaszadeh also expressed his appreciation for the contributions of
Minister Bijan Zanganeh and other managers during Nematzadeh’s era in the
petrochemical sector.
The event, which celebrated the legacy of Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh,
also featured participation from prominent figures in the industry, including
Bijan Zanganeh, Seyed Hamid Hosseini, Samad Hassan Zadeh, Fereidoun Asadi,
Mansour Moazami, and former CEOs of NPC.