MANAMA: With GCC primary aluminium production is set to reach 5 million tonnes by 2015; more co-operations among regional players to create synergies will take the sector to new heights of excellence, according to HE the Deputy Premier.
His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, the Deputy Prime Minister, was speaking as he opened the 18th Arab International Aluminium Conference (Arabal 2014) on Wednesday at the Gulf Hotel.
Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Arabal is being held in the Kingdom of Bahrain from November 25 to 27, 2014.
“More co-operation in technical as well exchange of expertise to formulate a concerted strategy to enhance the aluminium production will benefit the entire sector,” HE Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, said and expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa the Prime Minister for honouring him with inaugurating the conference on HRH’s behalf, and confirmed that HRH is the leading supporter of the industry.
“Thanks to HRH’s visionary leadership, Bahrain was the leading country in the Gulf in establishing the first aluminium smelter in the region. HRH provides further and continuous support through HRH’s initiative to host this leading event in the aluminium industry,” he added.
HE also emphasized that hosting Arabal – one of the leading events of the aluminium industry in the Middle East that witnesses the participation of aluminium industry leaders in the world, for the fourth time in the Kingdom of Bahrain, indicates the leading position of the Kingdom of Bahrain, which is a pioneer in the aluminium industry since 1960s, and home to one of the largest aluminium smelters in the world – Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba).
“The wise leadership provides immense support to the development of this industry, to enable Alba to compete globally and meet the growing demand on its products, especially after acquiring the approval of the Bahrain Cabinet, led by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, to the recommendation made by the Coordinating Committee chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, regarding the gas allocation for Alba’s reduction Line 6. At the cost of around $2.5 billion, this project will add 400,000 metric tonnes to the Company’s existing production 913,000 mt, and will increase the capacity to 1.3 million mt.”
HE also pointed that Line 6 expansion project will contribute to the Kingdom’s national economy; create additional job opportunities for the qualified national potentials.
HE wished success to this event and all the participants, and wished to reach recommendations that would have a positive impact on the growth and development of the aluminium industry worldwide.
Following the opening, the Deputy Premier opened the Arabal 2014 Exhibition and took keen interest in the participating companies showcasing their state-of-the-art products and services. He applauded the participation of the major exhibitors of the aluminium industry in addition to local and international downstream industries.