It is reported that the UAE two aluminium producers are boosting exports to the Far East and other emerging markets to offset disruptions to Middle East orders caused by unrest.
Both Dubai Aluminium and Emirates Aluminium have suspended shipments to Syria an important centre for re-export of the metal in the region. As a result the firms are directing more trade elsewhere.
Mr Khalid Buhumaid a spokesman for Dubal said "We always direct our orders to somewhere else. The Far East market is picking up and one of the challenges for next year is exploring South America."
He said that "The Syrian market is dominated by us and is a hub for Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. Syria is one of the most important markets for us, and before the crisis demand was increasing."
The instability may be hastening a trend by the producers to tap aluminium export markets farther afield. Demand is growing particularly strongly in China and other Far East markets.
Lightweight and available in a variety of grades, the metal is used in everything from the construction industry to making vehicles, aircraft, cans and foil.
China is already the world's biggest producer and consumer of aluminium and demand is expected to rise 10 per cent this year as its economy booms.
Dubal and Emal are also turning their focus on South America a continent with some fast-growing economies.
Opportunities abound in Brazil as the country upgrades its infrastructure in readiness to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
In 2009, Dubal teamed up with Vale, a Brazilian mining outfit and Norsk Hydro a Norwegian company to develop an alumina refinery in Brazil.
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