In 1979, the East Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (EAPIC) was originally founded by the petrochemical associations in east Asia – Japan Petrochemical Industry Association (JPCA), Korea Petrochemical Industry Association (KPIA) and Petrochemical Industry Association of Taiwan (PIAT). Over a period of more than two decades, presidents, chairmen, board directors and senior managers of the leading Asian petrochemical corporations convened to discuss issues confronting the industry. The responsibility to host the annual conference was equally shared by each of the founding association on a rotational basis.