Global aluminium experts to speak on sustainable growth

Rio Tinto Alcan is the largest aluminium company in the world and Hydro Aluminium the fourth largest and their top executives will address this high powered gathering that is expected to attract hundreds of delegates from the region and around the world.

Arabal is now recognised as one of the world's leading aluminium events, attracting delegates and industry leaders from around the world to a region that is set to account for nearly 25 per cent of global aluminium output in future.

This year it is being hosted in the Sultanate for the first time -- recognition that Sohar Aluminium is taking its place as one of the fastest growing and influential aluminium manufacturers in the region. Rio Tinto Alcan also has a close existing relationship with Oman through its 20 per cent shareholding in Sohar Aluminium and Hydro Aluminium meanwhile is an investor in Qatalum.

Two of the Gulf smelters meanwhile -- Dubal and Alba -- are now recognised as among the 10 largest producers of aluminium in the world -- and the region's importance to the manufacturing of the world's most modern and unique metal that is used across a broad section of industrial sectors including transportation, packaging, electrical materials, pharmaceuticals and construction.

Commenting on the world-class speakers at the conference, Dr Hilal bin Abdullah Al Hinai, corporate affairs general manager at Sohar Aluminium, said: "We are very proud that Oman has been able to attract so many global leaders in our industry to speak at this conference - including the chief executives from aluminium companies worldwide.

Mideast aluminium sector

"The aluminium industry in the Middle East has become a global player in the past decade as new smelters and increased capacity has come on stream and production has increased significantly.

The theme of the Arabal conference is 'Global challenges for sustainable growth in the aluminium industry and the role of the Gulf smelters' -- issues affecting regional and global manufacturers, downstream industries and suppliers.

Speakers from the aluminium industry's global giants will be joined by speakers from the Government of Oman including Shaikh Saad bin Mohammad Al Saadi, minister of commerce and industry and Nasser bin Khamis al Jashmi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Oil and Gas. Other speakers will include senior executives from the region's leading aluminium producers which include conference host Sohar Aluminium.