MANAMA: The three–day 18th International Arab Aluminium Conference (Arabal 2014) concluded in Bahrain, which witnessed three days of discussions, workshops and presentations by experts from the regional and international aluminium industry.
The final day, November 27, 2014 kicked-off with a keynote presentation by Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba)’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Murray on ‘Alba Safety Journey’ that highlighted the Company’s commitment to foster a zero-accident work environment.
This was followed by a panel discussion ‘LME: Today & Tomorrow” on the business environment of the London Metal Exchange (LME) and later, a keynote presentation “Why the Aluminium market stands at a crossroad” by EGA’s Chief Marketing Officer, Walid Al Attar.
This key session focused on the strong demand for aluminium and the major challenges facing those planning to build new smelters. The morning concluded with two important panel discussions: “Alumina & refined bauxite dynamics” and “Sustainability and environmental”.
The final keynote address of the day was “Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I remember”, which was delivered by Prof. Cedomir Nestorovic, the Executive Director MBA of École Supérieure des Sciences Économiques et Commerciales (ESSEC), and his presentation addressed education and training of future leaders.
“By the beginning of next year, Ma’aden Aluminium’s goal of commencing a fully integrated supply chain from mine to metal will have become a reality. Ma’aden looks forward to celebrating this achievement with its friends and business partners as the host of Arabal in 2015,” Ma’aden Aluminium President, Abdulaziz Al Harbi said.
Arabal 2014, which was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa from November 25 to 27, 2014 at the Gulf Hotel, Kingdom of Bahrain was officially inaugurated by His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain on Wednesday, November 26, 2014.
Arabal 2014, which was hosted by Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba) – the first aluminium smelter in the Gulf region, and today one of the largest and most modern smelters in the world -, witnessed the presence of distinguished guests from the Kingdom of Bahrain and the global aluminium industry.
“On this significant conference, I would like to express my sincere thanks to our stakeholders and partners whose contribution ensured the success of Alba to become a leading company in the aluminium industry,” Chairman of Alba’s Board of Directors, Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa, expressed his thanks during the conference and said.
“Our special thanks and appreciation goes to Sabic Industrial Investment Company in Saudi Arabia for the long relationship and their continuous support.
We express gratitude to our partners in the downstream industries in the Kingdom of Bahrain for playing a key role in increasing the company’s productivity and contributing to the growth of Bahrain’s national economy.”
“I would like to thank previous and current Board members as well as our executive management and all Alba employees for their efforts in making Alba what it is today, in terms of development and growth.”
“Finally, I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa the Prime Minister, under whose patronage Arabal was hosted, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, for their continuous and unstinted support to Alba, and their visionary leadership and wise directives that made the Kingdom of Bahrain a destination that attracts international investments, and the economic policies that support industrial, investment, and economic aspects. We would like to thank Your Excellency for honouring us with the opening of the conference on behalf of His Royal Highness the Prime Minister.”
“Alba is truly gratified to host Arabal 2014 for the fourth time in the Kingdom of Bahrain. We thank all our partners, guests, delegates, sponsors and stakeholders, especially Arabal Organising Committee for their support towards Arabal, and we truly hope that this year’s event has highlighted all the aspects of the ever-growing aluminium industry. Alba is proud to be a part of the visionary Arabal event; we look forward to continue this tradition and share the achievements of the GCC aluminium industry,” Alba’s CEO, Tim Murray said.