ALUMINIUM Bahrain (Alba), Dubai Aluminium (Dubal) and Emirates Aluminium (Emal) showed importance to Aluminium China 2012 by their presence at the key Asian show mindful of the opportunities to network and present their products to a gathering from global markets.
The point was also not lost on the Gulf smelters that China and the rest of the Far East and Southeast Asia represent a large and lucrative market.
Aluminium China – held successfully for the past seven years – brings together the entire aluminium supply chain under one roof representing delegates from more than 90 countries. A conference under the theme: “2012 China Aluminium Fabrication Forum” was held alongside the exhibition, and included presentations by industry leaders.
Alba extended sponsorship support to the exhibition, which was held from June 6 – 8 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.
“Alba’s commitment to expand its customer base across Asia’s emerging markets and enlarge the global reach of its product portfolio provided one of the key incentives behind Alba’s sponsorship and participation in Aluminium China 2012,” said a company spokesman.
Commenting on Alba’s participation, its chief executive Laurent Schmitt said: “Asia presents one of the most dynamic markets for the aluminium industry, and Alba remains keen on expanding the footprint of its product portfolio on the continent. We currently export more than 15 per cent of our products to Asia, and we are confident to see additional growth with the opening of our sales office in Hong Kong.
“Our participation in this event enables us to explore business opportunities with potential trade partners as well as raise greater awareness of Bahrain’s attractiveness as an economic destination for international investors.”
RAISING AWARENESS
Dubal and Emal used the event to raise awareness of the UAE’s growing primary aluminium sector among customers in greater Asia and to put themselves in position to pursue opportunities in the region.
Mohamed Qanbar, general manager, marketing and sales for the two firms, reported that a significant number of people, comprising both existing and potential new customers, visited the Dubal-Emal stand.
“The Far East and Asean regions represent major export markets for the premium purity, high-quality primary aluminium produced in the UAE,” explained Qanbar. “Our strategy of showcasing the two companies and promoting their product portfolio attracted much interest, such that we are confident of sustaining and growing our market share in these regions. Aluminium China also presented a perfect opportunity for us to promote Dubal’s proprietary, high-amperage DX and DX+ reduction technologies; to view the latest aluminium technologies; and to network at industry level.”
In 2011, Dubal and Emal sold a collective 764,538 tonnes of primary aluminium products to customers in greater Asia – accounting for 40 per cent of their combined production of 1.87 million tonnes, said Qanbar.
“The major share remains value added products – billet and foundry – with a portion of normal high aluminium grade metal as well, plus Dubal’s super high purity metal which is dedicated for the Far East market,” the official added.
The presence of Gulf smelters at Aluminium China 2012 was particularly pertinent given ongoing negotiations between the Gulf Co-operation Council region and China regarding the formulation of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).