Manufacturers, traders and buyers of aluminium products and support industries will gather in Bahrain in December for a wide-ranging international expo and conference that will focus on the region’s aluminium industry.

Aluminium Middle East 2005 is being organised by the Bahrain Convention and Exhibition Bureau (BCEB) for December 5 to 7, 2005 under the patronage of Dr Hassan Abdulla Fakhro, Minister of Industry & Commerce, Bahrain. The event will be held at the Bahrain International exhibition Centre.
  The regional aluminium industry was established in the 1970s. Today, its smelters produce approximately 1.5 million tonnes of primary aluminium per year, amounting to 6 per cent of the total world production. With a further expansion of existing production capacities and new large smelters on the drawing boards, the total regional output is expected to exceed the 10 per cent mark of total global consumption. Consequently, aluminium experts and investors are seriously looking to upgrade quality and increase regional downstream aluminium industries to produce higher value-added semi-finished and finished aluminium products.
“The Middle East is the preferred choice because of secured energy supply and the proximity to large and untapped markets in Asia. Bahrain will provide a podium in the region for professionals from the sector to meet annually and work together towards assisting the region to become a premier aluminium producer,” said a BCEB spokesman.
Aluminium Middle East 2005 will examine advanced aluminium technologies and focus on the local, GCC and Middle East markets. It will offer a trade show platform for technology transfer throughout the regional aluminium industry. 
Wael Mirza, project manager, BCEB said, “An emphasis will be on practical solutions for greater efficiency, productivity and competitiveness, including energy saving, environmental, health and safety considerations and sustainable operations”.
Companies expected to exhibit at Aluminium Middle East 2005 will come from the following sectors: downstream Industries; manufacturing technology, sector expertise; investment infrastructure and aluminium products.
The organisers point out that the event offers exhibitors a not-to-be-missed opportunity to market their technologies, products and services to local and international visitors, all with dedicated purchasing influence.
The exhibition will be complemented with a dedicated conference, which has been classified into five broad groups: Production of Aluminium; Structure & Properties of Aluminium Alloys; Processing of Aluminium; Production Planning and Control, and Related Issues (recylcling, corrosion, environment control and so on).
 “As a division of the Bahraini Ministry of Industry and Commerce, BCEB is highly honoured to host Aluminium Middle East 2005 along with the University of Bahrain and Unido,” Mirza said. 
He added that exhibitors and visitors alike would have the opportunity to keep up-to-date with the latest and best in the aluminium industry. Simultaneously they would be able to enjoy a great range of leisure and entertainment options and to explore one of the region’s most modern, hospitable and evolving countries.
The exhibition will remain open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Admission is free for all conference delegates, genuine trade visitors and invited guests.
Intelligent Building Middle East 2005 (IBME) and Metal Middle East 2005 will be running alongside Aluminium Middle East.