(MENAFN - Qatar News Agency) The President of Arab International Aluminum Conference "ARABAL" 2012 Mohammad Al Naqi says that the GCC countries are producing 13 per cent of global aluminum output, while its production did not exceed 0.5 per cent in 1983.
He was speaking during a press conference held by the Preparatory Committee of "ARABAL" 2012 at the Doha Grand Hyatt, to mark the launch of the 16th edition of ARABAL. The conference was attended by local, regional and international media - as well as the members of the Preparatory Committee.
He stressed that Qatar was able to remarkably develop its economy, pointing out that the Qatari economy has moved from dependence on the energy sector to become a diversified economy that industry constitutes one of its important components.
Qatalum's Public Relations and Communication Director, and Head of the Preparatory Committee Ibrahim Jasem Fakhri stressed the importance of the media presence in the success of this year's conference, and hailed the media efforts during the conference preparation process and the promotional campaign.
The Preparatory Committee said that this year's conference will include several topics, panel discussions and outstanding workshops that focus on the aluminum sector at the local and global levels, and will be hosting some of the most prominent figures involved in the sector including experts and academics addressing the conference and presenting their scientific and practical expertise to participants and audience.
ARABAL 2012 represents a platform where large number of experts, industrialists and stakeholders gather to promote the conference outputs, raise awareness, and open the door for everyone to share experiences and information and enhance communication between various stakeholders. During the press conference, the committee said that the number of registered participants has exceeded 600 - representing more than 140 companies from over 45 countries; a new record.
Forty exhibitors also will be showcasing their products within the exhibition on the sidelines of the conference. The Committee noted that this tangible increase in the amount of individual and corporate participation is clear evidence of the growing importance of the aluminum industry regionally and globally.
The Committee also said there will be 36 speakers who will give presentations, workshops and discussions on various topics covering the aluminum sector, markets, and the outlook for the industry future, along with technology, environment, recycling, manufacturing industries, and investments.
The Arab Spring and its impact on industry and investment, and the Chinese aluminum market will also be discussed in the conference, which will also include a field tour to Qatalum's plant on 20 November. The visit will include the smelter's various facilities and explanations by the relevant Qatalum teams to provide all information about the work mechanism, production and smelting and pouring and other phases of Qatalum operations. The field tour will be preceded by a workshop on the London Metal Exchange to be presented by the Executive President of the Stock Exchange.
ARABAL is the only conference dedicated to the Arab aluminum industry. It was launched in 1983 by the initiative of Kuwait Aluminum Company, with the participation of all companies, Arab aluminum smelters and at the presence of many stakeholders and international and regional institutions operating in the aluminum sector. As of 2011, the conference decided to convene on an annual rather than biennial basis due to the growing importance of and developments in the aluminum industry.
