theceomagazine.com | 135has devoted considerable resources to R&D that will
assist car manufacturers to meet these requirements.
A focus on new methods of production will allow
PETRONAS to meet customer needs while at the
same time enabling their car manufacturer partners
to achieve their own goals.
Arif identifies another significant challenge for
PETRONAS, moving forward, as the acquisition
and retention of the best talent in the industry.
“Key to our success will be creating an environment
to nurture and grow unique talents,” he says. “This
will require us to change our approach, and modify
our systems and policies to facilitate an agility
in operations.” Asked about his strategy to attract
new graduates as well as those who already
have experience in the industry, Arif mentions
PETRONAS’ focus on investing in talent and its
technical training facilities, detailing the process »Indeed, one of the enduring external challenges
that PETRONAS faces is changing trends in
consumer behaviour, due to the increasing
availability of new technologies. The emergence
and growth of these trends require an operational
flexibility on PETRONAS’ part. One such trend
involves the increased demand for electric and
hybrid cars, leading to a decline in the demand
for fuel products, and Arif mentions the changes
PETRONAS will need to make in response. “When
we look at our downstream marketing, we will assess
the percentage of fuel sold to petrol stations against
non-fuel products. To protect the business, attention
will be paid to increasing the income coming in
from non-fuel products.”
In these challenges lie opportunities for
PETRONAS to live up to its reputation as a
company committed to operating in line with
a coherent set of cultural values. In the face of
new and more stringent carbon dioxide emission
requirements in Europe, for example, the company
“ONE OF
PETRONAS’
STRENGTHS IS
EDUCATION. WE
INVEST HEAVILY
IN ATTRACTING
TALENT.”
“Working with PETRONAS Downstream is a genuinely exciting
experience for us. It is a journey that requires total commitment and
perseverance, hence resulting a greater sense of ownership over
the final deliverables. We wish PETRONAS Downstream continuing
success in the future.” – Wan Mashitah Wan Abdullah Sani, MD &
CEO, MHB
Interview | INVEST