H H Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Lends Patronage To ARABAL 2016

Royal patronage underscores importance of region’s premier aluminium industry gathering.

United Arab Emirates, 18 October 2016: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance), has granted his patronage to the 20^th Arab International Aluminium Conference (“ARABAL”), scheduled to take place in Dubai, UAE, from 22 to 24 November 2016. Hosted by Emirates Global Aluminium (“EGA”) for the sixth time, the two-day ARABAL conference and associated exhibition is expected to attract more than 2,000 participants from 20 countries, enabling industry leaders to network, conduct business, discuss global challenges and identify suitable solutions

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who was chairman of EGA subsidiary Dubai Aluminium (“DUBAL”, also known as Jebel Ali Operations) from 1979 to 2013, spearheaded the rise of industrial economy in the UAE and specifically the aluminium industry.

Commenting on the gravitas of the royal patronage for ARABAL, Abdulla Kalban (MD & CEO of EGA) said, “All our achievements are testament to the vision, leadership and courage of HH Sheikh Hamdan and we are honoured to receive his patronage and support for this event. Determined that the UAE’s aluminium industry would be a leading example, he played a vital role in the rapid growth of the Middle East into a major hub in the global aluminium industry. His influence is equally evident in the operating efficiencies in the UAE’s smelters, which are world renowned for their low-cost operations, development of advanced proprietary technologies and reduced environmental impact compared to the industry as whole.”

ARABAL is the only event of its kind in the region staged by all the primary aluminium producers in the GCC, this unique positioning providing a strong draw card. Under the theme “Global Challenges – Seeking Solutions”, the 2016 ARABAL conference will provide opportunities for delegates to learn more about the implications of fluctuating energy prices and corresponding policy changes, and delve deeper into the downstream industry including expansions, product mix dynamics, financial elements, raw materials and upstream integration.

For the first time since 2012, Aluminium Company of Egypt (“Egyptalum”) will be present at the event uniting the founder ARABAL members in Dubai. The presence of the full quorum promises a unique opportunity to highlight the immense growth opportunities for the region’s aluminium industry.