Delegates from 40 countries are expected to take part in the 20th Arab International Aluminium Conference (Arabal), the Middle East’s premier aluminium industry gathering, opening tomorrow (November 22) in Dubai, UAE.

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, the event is hosted by Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) for the sixth time and will run until November 24 at Madinat Jumeirah.

The conference and associated exhibition is expected to attract more than 2,000 local, regional and international delegates, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and visitors from 40 countries enabling industry leaders to network, conduct business, discuss global challenges and identify suitable solutions.

Arabal is the only event of its kind in the region staged by all the primary aluminium producers in the Middle East comprising Aluminium Company of Egypt (Egyptalum); Aluminium Bahrain (Alba); Ma’aden Aluminium Company from Saudi Arabia; Qatalum from Qatar and Sohar Aluminium, Oman; and UAE-based EGA.

Under the theme “Global Challenges – Seeking Solutions”, the 2016 Arabal conference sessions will focus on Gulf aluminium industry perspectives; the market outlook; China’s influence on the market; sustainability; scrap and recycling; operations and technology; end-user perspectives; the future of the global aluminium industry, and more.

This year, the keynote panel discussion will explore the implications of fluctuating energy prices and corresponding policy changes; delve deeper into the downstream industry including expansions, product mix dynamics, financial elements; and look into raw materials and upstream integration.

The Arabal conference programme will be continued professional development (“CPD”) certified. Certificates will be available for delegates to claim CPD hours earned by attending the conference.

More than 50 players in the global aluminium sector will showcase their products, services and technologies at the exhibition held alongside the conference. – TradeArabia News Service