GCC to play a major role in global aluminium industry :Hamdan

WAM Dubai, 9th Nov. 2008 (WAM) -- By 2020, the GCC aluminium industry is set to produce 20 per cent of global aluminium production, according to HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Chairman of Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL). ''A number of GCC countries are chalking out plans and feasibility studies to further develop the industry to play a pivotal role in their national industries ........towards this end, they are also pumping huge investment in the industry to boost their output capacity and sharpen its competitive edge at global markets,'' Sheikh Hamdan said in an opening address to the 13th International Arab Aluminium Conference and Exhibition (ARABAL 2008) which is being staged in Dubai for three days. In his address, which was read on his behalf by Minister of Economy HE Sultan Al Mansouri, Sheikh Hamdan said the UAE lends proper care to the aluminium industry by setting large scale smelters. ''DUBAL, the seventh largest producer of aluminium in the world and a leading player in the Arabian Gulf, is now contributing 45 per cent of Dubai non-oil exports,''he said. ''There are huge opportunities and potentials on offer and should be seized by creating the ideal, attractive investment environment,' he added. ARABAL provides a forum for specialists and major aluminium companies from the Arab world to transfer their experiences and exchange information with the regional aluminium smelters and other downstream companies, alongside participants from multinational organisations. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the most important events in the international aluminium industry calendar, as evidenced by growing attendance figures over the years. Given the rapid growth of the aluminium industry in the region, as evidenced by the new smelter development projects already announced in the UAE (Emirates Aluminium in Abu Dhabi), Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the number of potential ARABAL event hosts is likely to expand directly in the near future. A full line-up of high calibre, international speakers representing the aluminium industries will address a range of topics in support of the overriding theme, namely 'The changing dynamics of the aluminium industry in the GCC'. WAM/TF