Dubal shows commitment to Far East, Asian Markets

DUBAI - In line with its commitment to invest in strategic future growth markets by building successful long-term partnerships, Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (“DUBAL”) participated in the ALUMINIUM China 2009 exhibition, which took place in Shanghai from 30 June to 2 July this year. Despite the global recession, the company continues to operate at its full capacity of 960,000 metric tonnes per year, with no job losses. It has exported its products to the Far East and ASEAN regions since its inception 30 years ago; and has been a regular participant at the annual ALUMINIUM China event. According to Mohammed Al Mutawa (Marketing & Sales Manager: Asia), the decision to put DUBAL on show at ALUMINIUM China 2009, reflects the event’s ongoing ranking as the most important and comprehensive aluminium industry trade exhibition in the region. “Approximately 10,000 people visited the show to meet with suppliers of raw materials, semi-finished and finished products, surface treatment and producers of machinery, plant and equipment for aluminium processing and manufacturing, light-metals trade and service providers,” said Al Mutawa. He added that “Many of the visitors hailed from South East Asia, a large number being representatives of companies that have been DUBAL customers for several years. This was an important opportunity for us to build on DUBAL’s existing long-term relationships with these key business partners, especially as an estimated 37 per cent of our total sales in 2008 came from the Far East and ASEAN regions.” Al Mutawa noted that DUBAL believes the Chinese market will be a major driver of global growth in aluminium demand and associated price improvements, which together will help the industry recover strongly in parallel with the restoration of the global economy. “China has been responsible for 70 per cent of the growth in aluminium demand in recent years and we have every reason to expect this trend to continue,” he said. “Given the substantial government-backed packages aimed at boosting China’s infrastructure and real estate markets, resurgence in the demand for primary aluminium is expected in the region in the short- to mid-term. There are already indications that industrial recovery in China will commence in the second half of 2009,” he added. Al Mutawa is confident that DUBAL’s presence at ALUMINIUM China 2009 achieved its primary objective of reinforcing the strong position that DUBAL already holds in the Asian markets. “The key messages communicated during the exhibition were our high quality standards, service ethics, reliable delivery and professionalism, as well as our sincere commitment to the market,” says Al Mutawa. “We also gained greater insights into market trends in terms of growth and business demands, which we will use to plan strategically for the substantial additional production capacity and new product lines that DUBAL will be offering to the market once EMAL is commissioned in the first half of 2010. Judging by the indicators, this additional capacity will be perfectly timed for us to benefit from the tremendous growth expected in Chinese markets once business is renewed.”