The production of aluminum will be a key to sustainable economic growth in the Middle East, the CEO of the world's biggest aluminum company, Jacynthe Cote of Rio Tinto Alcan, told delegates attending the annual ARABAL 2011 conference held in Muscat recently. In her keynote address to the conference of aluminum smelters in the Arab World, Cote told delegates from over 30 countries that industrial diversification and job creation are areas where the aluminum industry can help make a difference. Something she said that has been demonstrated in Oman, the rest of the Middle East and elsewhere in the world. ARABAL is the annual gathering of the aluminum smelters of the Arab World. The region's growing strength in the industry means that global industry leaders attend to debate and discuss the challenges facing this rapidly growing industry. This year the event is hosted by Oman-based Sohar Aluminum (Sohar). “The Middle East clearly possesses an enviable platform upon which to build a world-class aluminum industry. But going forward we must demonstrate that we also have the vision and the will to capitalize on these strengths by creating the conditions necessary to sustain growth. “Judging by the success to date of Sohar projects and the other dynamic regional aluminum producers represented here and the determination of other stakeholders at the conference, I am confident that any challenges can be overcome and enormous long-term benefits can be realized,” Cote noted. Oman Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Saad bin Mohammad Al Saadi, in his speech, said there is an excellent opportunity to strengthen Arab commercial and technical cooperation and further deepen knowledge of this industry. “There are currently five aluminum smelters in the Gulf region which alone represent over $30 billion in capital and create 20,000 direct and 30,000 indirect jobs. “Oman's contribution to the aluminum sector is a result of the Sultan's foresight from which an Industrial strategy emerged aiming at diversifying the sources of national income, by focusing on essential industries that add value. It is this strategy that will improve the implementation of national resources in order to offer better job opportunities for Omani citizens. Sohar Aluminum, which is located in the Sohar Industrial Estate, is one of the fundamental projects that implements this strategy and therefore has witnessed rapid development. She added “at Rio Tinto Alcan, we are thinking globally to act locally, and leveraging our success by deploying specialized Regional Economic Development teams to help the communities and regions in which we operate.”
