The GCC countries currently produce around 2.2 million tonnes of aluminium, which is expected to reach four million tonnes in 2010. By 2020, new and expanding smelters will push production to a record nine million tonnes with the majority of the demand coming from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait, according to
an industry report.

Currently, the Gulf's two operating smelters are Dubai Aluminum (Dubal) and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba). Other smelters are under construction or in the planning stage in the Gulf region.

The region currently constitutes 3.5 per cent of the total global demand for aluminium. This demand is expected to grow signi_cantly with extrusion growing by 7.9 per cent per annum by 2020, while rolling products will register a growth of 8.3 per cent per annum with casting set to grow 4.7 per cent.

Aluminium projects in the Gulf are among the least expensive in the world given the region's massive energy resources and cheap labour.

Manufacturers of plant, equipment & technology suppliers will have a unique opportunity to showcase their products and services for aluminium extraction, primary processing and re_ning at the show.

Conferences to be held on the sidelines of the event will feature experts tackling issues concerning the industry, production and distribution matters and challenges facing the sector.