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ARABAL 2017 to put Middle East?s aluminium industry in spotlight

Combining a strategic conference with an international exhibition, ARABAL represents a unique platform to showcase the Middle East?s growing role as an industrial powerhouse. (Image source: ARABAL)

Arab International Aluminium Conference (ARABAL) is set to take place in Muscat from 7-9 November 2017 and comprise of a two-day conference and exhibition featuring over 60 international experts under this year?s theme of ?Driving Strategic Growth across the Global Aluminium Industry?

First launched in Kuwait in 1983, ARABAL member organisations Sohar Aluminium, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), Egyptalum, Qatalum, Ma?aden and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) represent all of the primary aluminium manufacturers in the Middle East.

?ARABAL 2017 provides the ideal platform to showcase how our smelters in Oman, Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have become a global force in aluminium production and spur broader industrial economic growth. With this region accounting for approximately 10 per cent of global aluminium production in 2016, this event continues to highlight the importance of the industry to the Middle East in alignment with governmental efforts towards economic diversification,? Mohammed Al Naki, chairman of ARABAL,

Regarded as the leading aluminium industry event in the Middle East, ARABAL 2017 will attract over 500 delegates from 30 countries. The conference is held annually and hosted on a rotational basis.

Said Al Masoudi, ARABAL 2017 host and CEO of Sohar Aluminium, explained that the members of ARABAL are primary examples of how quickly smelters in this region have been able to supply international markets and add value to national economies.

He added, ?This region is now a key supplier to a growing market with global demand for aluminium estimated to reach 70mn metric tonnes per year by 2020. This industry also plays a major role in job creation, with the six smelters providing 40,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, with a focus on nationalisation and growing local talent.?

The ARABAL 2017 conference programme will address a cross-section of global and regional issues, including future supply and demand, market pricing forecasts, warehousing, technology, automation, renewable energy and waste management.