Manama, 23 November 2015

The importance of the aluminium sector and 'value added' products will be showcased at the upcoming Gulf Industry Fair 2016, taking place from 9 to 11 February at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Led by Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), one of the world's leading aluminium smelters, and supported  by the Gulf Aluminium Council (GAC), the Aluminium Zone at Gulf Industry Fair 2016 promises to reflect the trends of the global aluminum industry, which continues to drive opportunity for downstream suppliers such as Bahraini companies Balexco, Midal Cables, Ameeri Industries and Turk Mechanical.

Alba's Line 6 Expansion Project, will add approximately 514,000 tonnes to Alba's current annual capacity of 931,000 tonnes (year-end 2014) - which will make Alba the largest single site smelter in the world upon completion with around 1.450 million metric tonnes.

Mahmood Daylami, GAC Secretary General, says: "GAC considers Gulf Industry Fair to be a key part of our ongoing strategy to highlight the GCC as an aluminium hub. The GCC's importance to the aluminium sector grows year on year with the expansion of smelters in the region and the resulting expansion of the downstream products and services sector.

The growth of regional smelters such as Alba, Maaden and Qatalum will create business opportunities in the downstream aluminium sector which will be showcased at the Gulf Industry Fair 2016.

Alba's Chief Marketing Officer, Khalid Abdullatif, says: "The LME prices are imposing many challenges on the aluminium industry globally. Hence, Alba has to reinvent itself to remain

cost competitive through the cost-reduction initiatives. This has already started with "Project Titan", which aims to reduce Alba's cash cost by $150/mt by January 2016."

Bahrain-based companies are flexing their muscles on the global aluminium market. Gulf Industry Fair exhibitors like Midal Cables, for example, started producing aluminium, alloy rods and conductors in Australia last year in joint venture with Australia's Power Grid Cables. This complements the 30,000 tonnes per year plant the company recently started in Turkey, producing overhead line transmission and distribution conductors.

Bahrain Aluminium Extrusion Company (Balexco), an exhibitor at Gulf Industry Fair, has an outstanding track record in manufacturing extrusions. Its current production capacity now exceeds a record 33,000 metric tonnes.

Jubran Abdulrahman, Managing Director of Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE), the organisers of Gulf Industry Fair, says: "The aluminium sector is the key industrial growth driver in the region.  The sector does and will continue to be an important creator of jobs and business opportunities as the region's economies look to diversify themselves. We consider the aluminium showcase during Gulf Industry Fair as a key promoter of the opportunities for aluminium-based industrial development. The strategic support of Alba and the participation of Balexco and Midal Cables, among many other companies, show the value that the Aluminium Village at Gulf Industry Fair is given by the sector."

For further information visit www.gulfindustryfair.com

-Ends-

About Alba:
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) - one of the largest and modern aluminium smelters in the

World - is renowned for its premium grade aluminium products, technological strength and innovative policies, strict environmental guidelines and high track record for safety. Established in 1971 as a 120,000 tonnes per annum smelter, Alba today produces more than 931,000 metric tonnes per annum of the highest grade aluminium, with products including standard and T-ingots, extrusion billets, rolling slab, properzi ingots, and molten aluminium.

Alba is listed on both the Bahrain Bourse and London Stock Exchange. The Company's shareholders include Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (69.38%), SABIC Industrial Investment Company (20.62%) and the General Public (10%).

For more details please contact
Sarah Almoosa
Marketing and PR Assistant, 
Hilal Conferences and Exhibitions,
Al Hilal Group
Tel: (973) 17293131 ext: 488
E-mail: sarah@tradearabia.net
Website: hilalce.com/

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© Press Release 2015