MUSCAT, OCT 7 - The 21st Arab International Aluminium Conference (ARABAL 2017), set to take place on November 7-9, 2017 in Muscat, under the theme ‘Driving Strategic Growth across Global Aluminium Industry’ will feature more than 60 international industry experts and will bring together more than 500 top executives from 30 countries. This event will highlight the importance of the aluminium industry to the Middle East in alignment with governmental efforts towards economic diversification.
The Middle East is seen as a rapidly growing hub in the global aluminium industry. In 2016, the region collectively produced more than 5.6 million tonnes of aluminium, which accounts for approximately 10 per cent of the global aluminium production. As a result, these aluminium producers in the region generate massive contributions to their respective nation’s GDP and spur broader industrial economic growth. Also, the region is now a key economic contributor to a growing demand for aluminium that is estimated to reach 70 million metric tonnes per year by 2020.
Regarded as the largest and the most premium platform for the aluminium industry, this year’s conference will be hosted and organised by Sohar Aluminium, for the second time.
Said Mohammed al Masoudi, CEO of Sohar Aluminium, said: “Sohar Aluminium is a primary example of how quickly smelters in this region have been able to supply international markets and add value to national economies.”
“The aluminium industry also plays a major role in job creation, with the 6 smelters in the region providing direct and indirect jobs to more than 40,000 people. Efforts are focused on nationalisation at various levels of its business. Sohar Aluminium, in particular, prides itself with 76 per cent Omanisation and a sustainable workforce development strategy,” Al Masoudi noted.
He added, “The tour of Sohar Aluminium is a great opportunity for ARABAL 2017 delegates, sponsors and media partners to witness first-hand our world-class facilities. The Company was established in 2004 with a vision of introducing an entirely new sector to the Omani market. Today, we are an internationally-recognised smelter and it gives me a great deal of pride to showcase our hard work and the investment and thriving prosperity in our community.”
In addition to the smelter tour, the ARABAL 2017 conference programme will address a cross-section of global and regional issues including future supply and demand, market pricing forecasts, warehousing, technology, automation, renewable energy and waste management. The most anticipated session of the ARABAL 2017 programme is the Industry Keynote Panel, which will focus on identifying the challenges and opportunities for the Middle East’s aluminium sector as new supply and demand centres emerge.
In conjunction with the conference, an international exhibition will also be open to the public, featuring more than 20 major sponsors, including Oman Oil Company, GE Power, Export Quebec and Rio Tinto. Exhibitors will include key investors, major international suppliers, and manufacturers. The exhibition provides an opportunity for delegates and visitors to network with global players from a cross section of industries.
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