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Shaikh Khalid inaugurates Arabal.

Alba expansion 'will help Bahrain economy'

MANAMA, November 26, 2014

The planned $2.5-billion expansion of Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) will contribute to the kingdom’s national economy and create additional job opportunities for qualified nationals, said Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Minister.

Speaking after inaugurating the 18th Arab International Aluminium Conference (Arabal 2014), being held in Bahrain, he said work on the sixth production line is expected to start early next year. The project is awaiting key government clearances including final approval for the gas pricing structure on the line. In September, the cabinet approved the gas allocation needed to support the line.

His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain, had deputised Shaikh Khalid to inaugurate the event.

Arabal 2014 is being held under the theme “GCC: An Aluminium Power House” from November 25 to 27, at  Gulf Hotel.

Shaikh Khalid emphasised that hosting Arabal  - one of the leading events of the aluminium industry in the Middle East that witnesses the participation of aluminium industry leaders in the world  - for the fourth time in Bahrain indicates the leading position of the kingdom, which is a pioneer in the aluminium industry since 1960s and home to one of the largest aluminium smelters in the world.

He said: “The wise leadership provides immense support to the development of this industry, to enable Alba to compete globally and meet the growing demand on its products, especially after acquiring the approval of the Bahrain Cabinet, led by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, to the recommendation made by the Coordinating Committee chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, regarding the gas allocation for Alba’s reduction Line 6. At the cost of around US$ 2.5 billion, this project will add 400,000 metric tonnes to the company’s existing production 913,000 tonnes, and will increase the capacity to 1.3 million tonnes.”

Following the opening, he toured the exhibition and visited the major exhibitors of the aluminium industry, as well as local and international downstream industries.

The opening ceremony of Arabal 2014, hosted by Alba, witnessed the presence of distinguished guests from Bahrain and the global aluminium industry, including ministers, ambassadors, high government officials, CEOs of the region’s aluminium smelters as well as business leaders from various industrial sectors.  

During his introductory speech, Alba chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, for providing patronage to the conference, which confirms the leadership support to the aluminium industry in Bahrain as one of the major contributors to the national economy.

He also emphasised that Bahrain, being home to the first aluminium smelter in the Gulf region, is proud to host Arabal for the fourth time and expressed that Alba is extremely proud of its association with Arabal, an event that represents the GCC smelters.”

He said Alba's planned line 6 project will add 400,000 tonnes to the smelter's current capacity of more than 900,000 tonnes. The project would take 36 months for completion from the commencement date, Shaikh Daij said.

Chairman of Arabal Organising Committee Mohammed Al-Naki presented the history of Arabal since its inception in 1983 in his opening address. He also stated: “This year, as Arabal comes to Bahrain for the fourth time, we take a closer look at Alba’s role in the regional and global aluminium industry. Not to forget, the massive role played by Bahrain’s aluminium downstream sector, which is one of the most organised and leading industries in the region.” – TradeArabia News Service
 




Tags: Bahrain | aluminium | Alba | Output |

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