UAE is world's fourth largest aluminium producer

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will have a strong presence at the Aluminium Middle East 2015 exhibition with top industry players from the Arab world's second largest economy confirming their participation.
Aluminium Middle East 2015, to be held from April 14 to 16 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), will see more than 200 exhibitors from 25 countries participating. This year, more than 10 per cent of the confirmed exhibitors are from the UAE.
Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director at Reed Exhibitions Middle East, organisers of the event, said: "The exhibition comes at a right time where the global aluminium industry can explore new opportunities as a result of the boom in projects in the region. By bringing participants from across the world, we will also provide an ideal platform to showcase the latest know-how and products and forge business relations while participants look into new opportunities." Among the leading participants from the region are Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Cast Aluminium Industries, Gulf Development and Construction (INMA), Empire Tradetech FZE, Kamanaza Aluminium, Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), Morgan Ceramics Middle East, Outotech, Progesys International and Swedish ME Steel FZE, amongst others.
The UAE, the world's fourth largest aluminium producer, accounts for over 50 per cent of the Gulf's aluminium production and continues to strengthen its share in the global market and, backed by a robust economic growth, presents tremendous new opportunities to international industry players.
Global industry experts have projected robust growth in aluminium exports from the UAE. Aluminium exports from the country grew by 102 per cent in the first half of 2012 and the sector is expected to become one of the key non-oil industry sectors in the future.
According to a Frost & Sullivan report, the region's share in world aluminium output is also set to increase to 15 per cent this year, making it a centre of attraction for global aluminium industry players seeking new opportunities.
Walid Al Attar, Chief Marketing Officer, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), remarked: "Nine per cent of total global primary aluminium production will come from the Middle East by 2020. About 60 per cent of this region's primary aluminium capacity has been built since 2008. About 57 per cent of new capacity represents regional investments by global majors." Rami Faour, Business Development Manager of Canada-headquartered Progesys, a production, construction management and engineering company, which is participating in the Aluminium Middle East for the third time, said the company is looking forward to be a part of different projects in the region.
He said: "With successful completion of the EMAL Phase 2 project and the ongoing projects for expansion and building a new Alumina refinery, the future of the Aluminium industry in the UAE is very exciting. The challenge and focus over the next years will be to enhance efficiency of the production of existing plants. Overall, we believe that the Aluminium industry in UAE and the rest of the GCC, is in a good, healthy situation and we at Progesys hope to be part of the different projects in the GCC." Rami added: "The exhibition is an important platform which allowed us to present our Plant Engineering services which are now valued by many clients in the Middle East Aluminium Industry. We presented our know-how and expertise as well as our innovative and specialised services. Progesys is a leader in commissioning industrial plants around the world and we aim this year to present more about this key business value to potential clients." The worldwide demand for aluminium will continue increasing at an average of 6.5 per cent annually, according to the Aluminium Manufacturers and Producers Association. This continued growth implies that production and consumption will double from 35 million tonnes in 2010 to 70 million tonnes by 2020.
Mohamed Khalfan Obaid Almesmari, Managing Director, Kamanza Aluminium, said their company was keen on expanding its reach and the robust growth in the Middle East will help them attain this goal.
He said: "2015 is a very important year for us as a company, with our projections of continued growth and development in the country as a whole. Our ongoing aim is to further establish our name and identity. The high growth being witnessed in the region will lead the company to reach its highest potential." He added: "We are expecting the best in the coming years within our region. The production expansion that UAE-based smelters have undergone emphasises that view, and in the words of His Excellency Eng. Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei, the UAE's Minister of Energy, "aluminium stands as a flagship industry in our nation's development and on-going diversification." Kamanaza Aluminium is expecting to establish new business relationships on a wider scale. "We look forward to meeting like-minded companies and individuals who share that drive for continuous development and breaking new barriers," he said.
From 3,523 visitors in its previous edition, Aluminium Middle East is expecting more than 4,000 visitors at the 2015 edition.
Source: WAM