Aluminum industry witnesses big growth

 

 

Mr Shaikh Saad bin Mohammed al Saadi minister of commerce and industry said that the achievements made in the aluminum industry in the Sultanate is the product of the wise development vision of His Majesty the Sultan, of which the industry strategy that aims at diversifying sources of national economy is emanated.

 

 

He said that Sohar Aluminum is one of the major projects to realize this strategy. It is also one of the major projects in Sohar Industrial Estate which witness major investments and achieves remarkable growth. The minister pointed out that since 2009 Sohar Aluminum has reached its full capacity, 370,000 MT per year. While thousands are working permanently at the plant, it provides 2,500 indirect jobs including jobs for workers at the construction companies.

 

 

He pointed out that the Gulf production of aluminum increased to 4 million tonnes per year about 13% of the world production. The Gulf production of aluminum will hopefully increase more in the next decade to the current expansions at the Gulf smelters. The capital investment of the 5 aluminum smelters is estimated at USD 30 billion and provides 20,000 and 30,000 direct and indirect jobs respectively.

 

 

Ms Jacynthe C?té president and CEO of Rio Tinto Alcan said that the aluminum industry is witnessing a big growth in the Middle East Region and will contribute to achieving sustainable economic development in the region which in turn will generate major job opportunities in the market. Arabal conference has succeeded in attracting the major aluminum producers and stakeholders from different counties of the world.

 

 

Arabal 2011 conference sheds light on global challenges for sustainable 1321277665036950600 growths in the aluminum industry, the role of smelters in the Gulf and the remarkable industrial growth witnessed by the Gulf country and the Mideast Region in aluminum manufacture and export. It will also discuss the latest developments in this field, the economic growth strategies in the aluminum industry on the Gulf, Arab and world levels.

 

 

Arabal will also focus on the role of Gulf smelters in achieving sustainable development in aluminum industry and how far they can meet the needs of the market. It is worth mentioning that about 400 representatives with long experience in the field representing the major aluminum companies in the world, as well as experts and governmental officials take part in the conference.