Conference Overview



Strong interest is building in the Middle East as a new aluminium industry hub, reflecting the region’s rapid growth in this area in recent years and its evident potential to become a leading global aluminium player in years to come. In 1980, the region contributed 1 per cent of the total world aluminium production. Today, it accounts for about 7 per cent of the 38 million tonnes of metal produced on the world market each year.

Moreover, the region is ideally positioned to play an even greater role as a primary producer – especially given the need for additional production capacity created by the increasing demand for the metal worldwide, coupled with the vast energy resources available and convenient location of the Middle East on the world map. Indeed, leading industry experts believe that, by 2020, the Middle East will produce approximately 6 million tonnes of aluminium a year (equating to more than 10 per cent of global production); and that, by 2030, the volume produced by the region will rise to about 10 million tonnes.

Already, several major international aluminium companies have invested in joint venture smelter developments in the GCC region, specifically in Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia. Current estimates indicate that the number of smelter complexes in the region will grow by at least six over the next decade. 

ARABAL 2008 will focus on the specific needs of this fast-growing sector. In keeping with the theme of the event – “The Changing Dynamics of the Aluminium Industry in the Gulf Region” – the topics addressed will range from energy and power generation challenges in building smelters; securing bauxite and alumina supplies; project financing; marketing aluminium metal; skills development and training; innovation and product development; responsible aluminium production; emerging trends in the aluminium industry; and value-adding downstream industries.

The conference programme will feature regional and international speakers who are authorities in their respective fields of expertise. The exhibition component will complement this by focusing on education for the aluminium industry in the Gulf region; as well as the world-class environment, health and safety initiatives already implemented by leading aluminium companies with a view to protecting the environment, employees and neighbouring communities.

As well as the structured conference programme, a number of informal networking sessions, dinners and site visits will allow delegates to meet and relax with colleagues and industry peers in the informal surroundings that these functions create.  This will ensure participants will leave not only having contributed to the development of the aluminum industry, but also developed a new network of industry peers, colleagues and key decision-makers.

Through careful and thoughtful programming, a mix of plenary address presentations, question and answer sessions and panel discussions will provide the ideal opportunity for participants to actively engage in discussion and debate the key issues and concerns of the industry.  

These issues include: 

	• Energy and power generation challenges in building smelters
	• Securing bauxite and alumina supplies
	• Project financing
	• Marketing aluminium metal
	• Skills development and training
	• Innovation and product development
	• Responsible aluminium production
	• Emerging trends in the aluminium industry
	• Value-adding downstream industries

This is your opportunity to play an active role and contribute to the development of a myriad of issues in the global and Middle East aluminium industry.

This conference will be attended by key decision-makers and influencers from the following areas:

•	Policy-makers and regulators from international aluminium authorities, organizations and professional associations
•	CEOs, operations VPs, and government relations managers
•	Aluminium industry planners, managers and developers
•	CEOs, engineering VPs, and marketing/business development personnel
•	Scientists, academics, government regulatory authorities, universities and professional associations

The conference Steering Committee is made up of key decision-makers and policy influencers from the global and Middle East aluminum industry.   

By attending the most important aluminium event in the region you will:

•	Explore the latest development, challenges and opportunities in the global and Middle East aluminium industry
•	Listen to key industry experts and share their expertise, vision and knowledge
•	Gain the latest intelligence, opportunities and insights on the vital topics driving the aluminium industry
•	Meet and network with over 500 global senior decision-makers and influencers
•	Benefit from the interactive conference programme and numerous networking opportunities
•	Explore a variety of global and regional investment opportunities
•	Enjoy a memorable social programme