Alba renews strategic role at Gulf Industry Fair 2011

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) will again be a Strategic Aluminium Partner at the fourth Gulf Industry Fair (GIF) in Bahrain next year following the renewal of a sponsorship agreement with show organisers Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE).

The sponsorship agreement with HCE, a subsidiary of Bahrain-based Al Hilal Group, is the second successive year that Alba will provide top-level support for the aluminium segment of the show. It is also the first company to commit to a Strategic Sponsorship role for 2011.

GIF, to be held at the Bahrain International Convention & Exhibition Centre (BIEC) from 18 to 20 January 2011, is the fourth edition of the most important and comprehensive industry-related exhibition in the Middle East. It provides a highly targeted opportunity for any company or organisation marketing products or services aimed at the growing industrial sector of the region.

In addition to aluminium, the Fair covers the key industrial segments of metal, automation, metrology, energy, petrochemicals, logistics and manufacturing. The event also provides a unique opportunity for the operators of industrial areas and free zones to meet an interested market of decision makers in the manufacturing and distribution sectors.

Alba is one of the world's largest aluminium smelters and is a key industrial driver in Bahrain, supporting a range of downstream industries and making a major contribution to the national economy. The Company is in the midst of a broad-based drive to improve competitiveness by optimising operational and organisational efficiencies, as well as expanding its production capacities to meet future global demand, particularly from rapidly-growing economies such as China.

Laurent Schmitt, Alba CEO said: "One of Alba's remits is to stimulate the growth of the downstream aluminium sector in Bahrain and further integrate the aluminium value chain in the Kingdom, in line with government objectives. Alba's strategic support for Gulf Industry Fair demonstrates our commitment to this approach, through which we aim to help showcase the services and capabilities of the local and regional aluminium community at the Fair."

Ronnie Middleton, Managing Director, Al Hilal Group, said of the agreement: "We are delighted that Alba is the first Strategic Sponsor to renew its support for Gulf Industry Fair in 2011. This is a clear endorsement of the show's growing status in the region and Alba's ongoing support for showpiece international events in Bahrain."

Jubran Abdulrahman, Managing Director, HCE said: "HCE is excited by Alba's vision of encouraging an 'Aluminium Village' community concept at GIF 2011, which reflects the Company's leading status in the global aluminium industry. HCE is proud to welcome companies of Alba's calibre as we strive to establish GIF as the most industry-relevant show of its type in the Northern Gulf."

GIF 2011 will be complemented by the first Middle East Clean Environment Forum, to be held at the Conference Suite at the BIEC on 19 January 2011.