GCC's share of global aluminium production to double by 2010

The GCC's share of global aluminium production is expected to increase by 150% by 2010 thanks to significant investments in capacity expansion and ongoing construction of several new aluminium smelters according to organisers of ALUMINIUM DUBAI 2009, a major trade show which will take place in Dubai next year. ALUMINIUM DUBAI 2009 will be held 29th to 31st March 2009 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre (DICEC) and is organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East. 'We are very pleased to present ALUMINIUM DUBAI to the market in the MENA (Middle East North Africa) region. The show will be the premier platform for the aluminium and related industry sectors in the region and in its conduct, we will strongly leverage Reed's expertise in organizing some of the biggest aluminium industry trade shows worldwide.' said Amanda Westerman, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Exhibitions Middle East. ALUMINIUM DUBAI marks a key addition to Reed's strong portfolio of major aluminium industry shows held in Germany, Brazil, China and India each year. Stating that the GCC currently accounts for four percent of current global aluminium production, Westerman said that this share is expected to go up to 10 percent by 2010. 'The Gulf's growing focus on economic diversification has boosted demand for aluminium and investments in the sector have increased almost two-fold since 2002 to reach Dhs29.3bn.' she added. Currently the Gulf's two operating smelters are Dubai Aluminum (Dubal), which produces about 900,000 tonnes of aluminum a year, and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), with a capacity of 860,000 tonnes. Another 11 smelters are either under construction or in the planning stage in the Gulf. Emirates Aluminium, or Emal, a joint venture between Dubal and Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Development Company, is building a 1.4-million-tonne capacity smelter in Abu Dhabi. Emal has also launched a similar capacity project in Saudi Arabia, while Saudi mining firm Ma'aden has its own smelter project. In Oman the production at the 350,000-tonne Sohar Aluminium plant is expected to commence this year. ALUMINIUM DUBAI will bring together global suppliers of products and technology to the aluminium sector with international buyers and regional investors. Over 100 exhibitors from 20 countries are expected to take part including companies producing and processing aluminium, manufacturers of equipment and technology suppliers to the industry. The event is expected to attract more than 3,000 trade visitors from 15 countries including industry decision-makers from the GCC Countries, Middle East and the Africa region.