01 September 2012, Sweetcrude, Doha – Qatalum, the organizer of the Arab International Aluminium Conference (ARABAL 2012), scheduled for Doha from 20th to 22nd of November 2012, says the aluminium industry within the GCC region is increasingly attracting high levels of official interest, as well as acquiring a large portion of the region’s industrial expansion plans and dominating a large part of the investment that is being injected to achieve economic diversification.
Regional economies are striving to diversify sources of income through a strong focus on the industrial sector, which is considered to be one of the most important requirements for optimum utilization of the abundant natural resources the region is blessed with. The development of the industrial sector, in general, and aluminium industry, in particular, serves as an ideal investment of national wealth and entry to the world’s industrialized countries and long term producers.
The aluminium industry requires intensive investment and high technical and technological levels. The industry can never be separated from modern technology for all phases of manufacturing and production, as the acquisition and constant update of high-tech methods of production are key to the possession of advanced production capacity and better ability to produce high quality products that are highly competitive in overseas markets. These concerns are the basis of the plans being developed. The presence and acquisition of increasing market share will be the goal of all producing and manufacturing companies in the foreseeable future.
Arabal 2012 will include a panel discussion on aluminium industry technology, in response to the importance of this issue. The aluminium industries in the GCC countries are depending on the transfer of advanced technology to reach their targeted production capacity in the shortest time possible, meet the local and regional demand, and enter international markets. Aluminium companies and smelters are adopting expansion policies on their production lines in line with the extensive urban expansion that is currently taking place in the region. This requires the adaptation of numerous new technologies to help achieve their production and expansion targets, especially in view of the soaring competition in terms of quality and prices from the traditional industrial powers.
The managements of the aluminium companies and smelters in the region and the world are seeking to build permanent partnerships and cooperative relationships, and their attention has in recent years been devoted to developing and implementing the most innovative and advanced cost effective and energy efficient technologies. These technologies are evidence of the high level of efficiency, reliability and environmental friendliness of these smelters in all phases of production. These elements have become the cornerstone of competitiveness in international markets. It is worth mentioning that aluminium companies are permanently in need of finding effective practical solutions that help reduce the cost of production, with a particular focus on reducing the cost of energy with the aim of maintaining the highest quality standards in production, meeting the requirements of improved competitiveness, and entering new markets.
No doubt, the goals of technology manufacturers meet the objectives of aluminium producers as both are working together to achieve a number of goals, foremost of which is to improve actual production capacity, reduce emissions and reach cost effective and energy efficient solutions to ensure constant and nonstop operations.
Success in developing the aluminium industry in the region’s countries is dependent on the ability to continue government support to maintain the competitive advantage in terms of cost, and to develop long term financing instruments that fund the expected output expansion and development plans. These must be taken into consideration if aluminium industry officials want to maintain the current achievements and increase gains.