Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the Bahrain-based international aluminium smelter, is the strategic sponsor for the Aluminium Sector at the upcoming Gulf Industry Fair 2017, Northern Gulf’s leading annual industrial expo.

The event takes place from February 7 to 9 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Alba will lead the Aluminium Zone at Gulf Industry Fair 2017, which reflects both, the upstream and downstream growth of the Aluminium sector in the GCC.

Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa, chairman of Alba said: “Gulf Industry Fair has established itself as the leading platform in the GCC to promote this Region’s Aluminium Industry whilst also reflecting the growth of Bahrain’s growing economy.

“Alba is proud of its landmark Line 6 Expansion Project, which is one of the biggest Brownfield projects in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This Project will have a big impact on Bahrain’s economy as well as strengthen the Kingdom’s position as the hub for the downstream aluminium industry in the GCC. ”

Alba has shown excellent progress with its Line 6 Expansion Project. In October 2016, Alba announced the successful closing of a syndicated term-loan facility, the first tranche of the Company’s funding plan for the Project. Alba has also embarked on Project Titan – Phase II cost saving programme that aims to reduce cash-cost by $ 100 per metric tonne (mt) of aluminium and step-up its production capacity to 1,000,000 mt per annum by end of 2017.

The other Bahrain-based companies joining Alba at the Aluminium Zone include Midal Cables, who manufacture their products from the aluminium smelter in Bahrain; Bahrain Aluminium Extrusion Company (Balexco), whose production capacity exceeds 33,000 metric tonnes and Ameeri Industries, whose Amgard Street light poles are manufactured from aluminium produced at Alba.

“The aluminium sector is the key industrial growth driver in the region. The Aluminium Zone promotes Bahrain as a leading global exporter of downstream aluminium products (Made in Bahrain) and services for aluminium smelters within the region,” said Jubran Abdulrahman, managing director of event organisers Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE).

Gulf Industry Fair 2017 is also strategically sponsored by the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) in association with the National Oil and Gas Authority.

Majaal and Naffco will be supporting the Industrial Facilities and Fire and Safety sectors respectively, while other supporting organisations include AHK Saudi Arabia, India’s PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the German Saudi Arabian Liaison for Economic Affairs, the Saudi British Economic Offset Programme and Bahrain Industrial Association. – TradeArabia News Service