Political leaders from Qatar and Norway painted a positive picture for the aluminium industry when they spoke at the spectacular opening of Qatalum in Mesaieed on Monday.
In a tasteful program, the two cultures came together, represented by heads of state Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon, as the top official participants.
The inaugural moment shared by the Emir and Prince revealing Qatalum's slogan out of the 'Altogether' theme... 'Aluminium Perfection'.
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Guests made up of Qatari, Norwegian and other foreign VIP's with the Emir and the Crown Prince sitting in the middle front row. |
Helene Bøksle singing her heart out accompanied by Marcel Oraij on the Oud
The theme of the program was “Altogether,” symbolizing the partnership of Qatar Petroleum and Hydro; the joint-venture partners behind Qatalum, that Qatar and Norway are cooperating on a large industrial project, and that Qatalum is the result of the efforts of many over a long period. This message effectively places Qatalum as a globally competitive aluminium smelter.
This message was delivered artistically as well – Helene Bøksle sang Norwegian folk music accompanied by Marcel Oraij on the traditional Arabian Oud. Earlier, the musical program included a thundering performance in aluminium, with cans, kitchen utensils, drums, bolts and foundry alloy ingots. Speeches were intersected by films with the 'Qatalum Way' taking pride of place as an emotive piece of cinematic excellence enjoyed by all.
Press conference attended by international media. Seated from left to right,
Qatalum CEO, Norway’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Trond Giske, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah and Qatalum’s Chairperson of the Board, Abdullah Salatt.
Pre-recorded messages by Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, addressed the importance of Qatalum to Qatar’s desire to build a broader industrial base on top of its hydrocarbon industry.
Norway’s minister of industry and trade, Trond Giske, emphasized the potential for further cooperation between Norway and Qatar. The two energy-exporting countries should be able to find solutions to the global climate challenge, Giske said.
Qatalum’s chairperson of the board, Abdullah Salatt, and the company’s CEO, Jan Arve Haugan, pointed to the great effort that has gone into this mega-project, 'On time and on budget'.
The crown prince on the right with the CEO in front of the Fume Treatment Plant on the Potroom 2 ramp
CEO, Haugan, who considers himself the proudest company leader in Qatar, praised the extremely competent organization Qatalum has built up that creates the foundation to develop one of the most competitive companies in the aluminium industry.