Kuwait City, Kuwait - February 24, 2010

Dow Chairman and CEO Andrew N. Liveris shaking hands with His Highness Sheikh Al-Sabah

The Dow Chemical Company recently commemorated its historic partnership with Petrochemical Industries Company K.S.C (PIC) of Kuwait at the inauguration of the Greater Equate facility, an expansion of Dow and PIC's successful 15-year joint venture, EQUATE Petrochemical Company, today one of the Middle East's leading producers of polyethylene and ethylene glycol. Andrew N. Liveris, Dow's chairman and chief executive officer, delivered a keynote address at the inauguration event, which marks the official launch of the Aromatics, Styrene and Olefins II plants under the name of Greater EQUATE.

The inauguration consisted of notable speeches by all partners. In his keynote address, Liveris took a moment to congratulate the Emir and the people of Kuwait on the nation's upcoming National Day and Liberation Day celebrations. Over 500 guests attended the two-hour inaugural ceremony, including his Royal Highness the Emir of Kuwait, the Crown Prince HH Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister of Kuwait HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Minister of Oil, Electricity and Water HE Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and members from the Supreme Petroleum Council of Kuwait.

"I know that PIC shares our feelings of pride on this momentous occasion for our partnership," said Andrew N. Liveris, Dow's chairman and chief executive officer. "The success of EQUATE - and of all our joint venture partnerships in Kuwait - lies in the common values and understanding that we share with PIC and with the people of Kuwait. Together we have achieved a successful global business relationship that not only benefits Dow, but has a tremendous impact on Kuwait, its people and its economy,"

Markus Wildi, Vice President of Corporate Development in Kuwait, added, "The success of Greater EQUATE is a testament to Dow's continued commitment to Kuwait and its people. This moment is the culmination of years of collaboration and hard work between Dow and PIC. Through our joint ventures, we remain one of the largest private sector employers in the country's Chemical industry. We are confident that the expansion of our partnership with PIC will provide more Kuwaitis with employment opportunities, elite training, access to technology know-how and global business management expertise."

For 15 years, Dow and PIC have partnered together to create six joint ventures representing 25 separate legal entities around the world. Currently, the Greater EQUATE joint ventures represent more than 60% of the non-oil GDP of the State of Kuwait. Dow and PIC's joint ventures combine Dow's strong existing asset base, technology leadership and market experience in driving innovation toward solving the world's most pressing problems in a manner that respects the planet and future generations.

About Dow in the Middle East

Dow has a longstanding relationship with the Middle East beginning with the establishment of manufacturing and commercial facilities in the United Arab Emirates and Egypt more than 30 years ago. Since then, Dow has established a solid presence in the Middle East petrochemicals industry, partnering with leading regional companies to set up state-of-the-art petrochemical complexes across the region. For nearly 15 years, Dow and Petrochemical Industries Company K.S.C. (PIC) of Kuwait have shared one successful milestone after another, partnering on six  industry-leading joint ventures. Saudi Aramco and Dow are in the formation process of a joint venture to build, own and operate a world-scale manufacturing complex and industrial value park in Ras Tanura. From the entrepreneurship initiatives of Young Arab Leaders to the new Dow Middle East R&D Center at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, Dow actively supports the social and economic aspirations of the communities where it operates. For more information about Dow in the Middle East, please visit: www.dowmiddleeast.com

About Dow in Kuwait

For nearly 15 years, Dow and Petrochemical Industries Company K.S.C. (PIC) of Kuwait have shared one successful milestone after another, partnering on six industry-leading joint ventures: EQUATE Petrochemical Company, MEGlobal, Equipolymers, The Kuwait Olefins Company (TKOC), The Kuwait Styrene Company (TKSC) and Greater EQUATE. As the largest foreign investor, and largest private employer of Kuwaiti nationals in the petrochemicals industry in Kuwait, Dow has consistently promoted economic development and prosperity. Dow and PIC's joint ventures combine Dow's strong existing asset base, technology position and market presence. Dow's partnership with Kuwait's noted NGO, LoYAC is in line with Dow's commitment to the communities in which it operates. LoYAC is noted in Kuwait for its inspired, innovative youth education and activities program, such as Dow's sole partnership of the F1 Schools Challenge, support of LoYAC's award winning Drama Club and other youth developmental programs in Kuwait and abroad.

About Dow


For Editorial Information:

Majed Al-Majed
The Dow Chemical Company
+971 4 3123687

Rosie Muhanna
Weber Shandwick MENA
+965 6621 6910
rosie.muhanna@ws-mena.com

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