Qatalum, a producer of high-quality primary aluminium products hosted the Gulf Aluminium Council (GAC) dinner on the 5th March 2015 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Doha, Qatar; an exclusive by-invitation-only event under the patronage of the GAC to celebrate the continued success of the Gulf region as a growing hub in the global aluminium industry – the event was attended by over 250 guests including top level executives from aluminium producing companies, technology providers, power generation manufacturers, traders, aluminium users and government officials.
A highlight of the luminaries who attended the dinner were: Tim Murray, CEO ALBA (Aluminium Bahrain), Abdulla Kalban, Managing Director and CEO of EGA with Saeed Al Mazrooei, CEO EGA. Abdulaziz Al Harbi President Ma'aden Aluminium, Said Al Masoudi CEO of Sohar Aluminium, Vladislav Soloviev, CEO RUSAL and Abdulrahman Ahmed Al Shaibi, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Qatalum with Hilde Merete Aasheim, Vice Chairperson of the Qatalum Board of Directors form Hydro.
The event was introduced and guests welcomed by the key note speech given by Mr Abdulrahman Al Shaibi, Chairman of the Qatalum Board. Mr Al Shaibi spoke about the production and consumption of aluminium in a global and local context. He also emphasised Qatar’s production and consumption capability despite lower oil prices, highlighting the countries robust fiscal policies.
Additionally, the Chairman anchored his welcome note on the fundamentals of Qatar’s National Vision 2030 whereby facilitation of human capital would lead to huge demand in infrastructural growth.
The programme of activities acknowledged progress in the aluminium industry and enabled a meeting point for the industry’s leading professionals, while creating a cordial experience at a distinctly sophisticated social and cultural event. The proceedings included a morning visit to the Museum of Islamic Art, a welcome reception in the evening at the Gardens of Grand Hyatt Doha followed by dinner at the hotel.
The aluminium industry in the GCC has seen significant growth over the years with 2014 seeing the region produce approximately five million tonnes of primary aluminium, an increase of 31 per cent from the previous year. Significantly, aluminium produced in the GCC now accounts for 10 per cent of global aluminium production with figures set to increase. GCC aluminium production remains one of the most advanced and environmentally forward, globally.
The GAC is a coordinating body that represents, promotes and protects the interests of the aluminium industry within the Gulf and the council’s main objectives are to provide a forum to develop strategies for common issues and concerns facing the aluminium industry in the region and to share best practices so as to improve the efficiency of the industry.
The GAC dinner was followed by a visit to the Chi Al Shaqab horse show on Friday 6th March 2015. The show demonstrated excellent showmanship and brilliant equestrian skills in jumping, endurance, dressage and vaulting, after which quests toured to the Arabian horse stables.
