Alba renews strategic role at Gulf Industry Fair 2012

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) will again be a Strategic Aluminium Partner for the fourth Gulf Industry Fair (GIF) staged in Bahrain early 2012 following the renewal of a sponsorship agreement with show organisers Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE).

Mahmood Hashim Al Kooheji with Ronnie Middleton with Laurent Schmitt (left). Jubran Abdulrahman, Ahmed Sulaiman, and Geoffrey Milne standing.

The sponsorship agreement with HCE, a subsidiary of Bahrain-based Al Hilal Group, is the third successive year that Alba will provide top-level strategic support for the aluminium segment of the show.

GIF will be held at the Bahrain International Convention & Exhibition Centre (BIEC) from 7 to 9 February 2012, the fourth such event staged of this comprehensive industry-related exhibition in the Middle East. It provides a highly targeted opportunity for any company or organisation from large-scale manufacturers to specialist equipment suppliers, distributors and agencies to market products or services aimed at the growing industrial sector of the region.

In addition to aluminium, the exhibition covers the key industrial segments of energy; steel and alloys; industrial processes and manufacturing; ports, logistics and free zones; training for industry; and industrial security and safety.

Alba is one of the world's largest aluminium smelters and a major contributor to Bahrain's economy as a key industrial driver and major supporter for a cluster of downstream industries. Alba is maximizing its competitiveness by optimising operational and organisational efficiencies, as well as expanding its production capacities to meet future global demand in Europe and the Far East.

Mahmood Hashim Al Kooheji, Chairman of Alba, underlined the importance of promoting the company and its strategic vision in providing competitive value-added products on a global basis.

"We are delighted to support the Gulf Industry exhibition and showcase our production capabilities and at the same time support Bahrain as a location for international investors. Alba has recently opened offices in Zurich and is set to expand further into the Far East," says Al Kooheji.

Laurent Schmitt, Alba CEO said, "Alba continues to stimulate the growth of the downstream aluminium sector in Bahrain and is performing well internationally by continuously intensifying its efficiencies to record production increases of 8.4% in 2011 over the same quarter last year and improved margins against tough competition."

"Alba's strategic support for the exhibition affirms our commitment to Bahrain, the aluminium sector and the capabilities of the local and regional aluminium community," says Schmitt.

Ronnie Middleton, Managing Director, Al Hilal Group, said of the agreement: "We are delighted that Alba has renewed its sponsorship support for the Gulf Industry Fair 2012. 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' cluster concept at the exhibition. This reflects Alba's key status in the global aluminium industry. HCE is proud to welcome companies of the status of Alba not only as a global player but also reflecting Bahrain's status as an industrial hub with our exhibition highly relevant to the regions industrial aspirations."

GIF 2012 will be complemented by the 'Future is Industry' Forum, to be held at BIEC on 8 February 2012.