*** ----> Focus on German-Bahrain trade ties | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Focus on German-Bahrain trade ties

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) Chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa mulled the possibilities of enhancing trade ties with Germany in the manufacturing sector of Bahrain during the 24th Arab-German Business Forum 2021.

“Bahrain is one of the most friendly countries in the Middle East, and we look forward to seeing more German participation in Bahrain’s manufacturing sector, especially in our aluminium downstream cluster.

Alba’s Line 6 Expansion Project has added 540,000 metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) to Alba’s +1,000,000 mtpa built-in capacity,” Shaikh Daij said.

Emphasizing the partnerships between German companies and Alba that go back decades, Shaikh Daij said: “Over the last fifty years throughout Alba’s expansion projects, German companies have been our trusted partners on many fronts due to their renowned technological expertise.

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We are truly proud of the strong ties that we have developed together with our German associates over the years.” Alba Delegation led by its Chairman of the Board at the 24th Arab-German Business Forum 2021.

The meeting , held from 04 to 06 October 2021 at the Hotel Ritz-Carlton Berlin, Germany, had Alba’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa, as a keynote speaker. Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali and Chief Marketing Officer Khalid A. Latif were members of the Panel Discussions at the Forum.

Alba’s Director Marketing Boris Santosi and Director Investor Relations, Insurance & Corporate Secretary Eline Hilal were present. The three-day Arab-German Business Forum is a leading platform for promoting Arab-German business relations.

It had panel discussions, Ambassador roundtables and country workshops on sectors that create opportunities and growth. Shaikh Daij thanked Ghorfa for promoting economic and business relations between Germany and the Arab countries.

As a panellist on the ‘Digitalisation: How Industry 4.0 can drive Diversification in the Middle East’ discussion, Al Baqali gave a snapshot on Alba’s digital aspirations and emphasised the Company’s prime Savings Programme ‘Al Hassalah’ which aims to achieve US$100 million by the end of 2022.

Al Baqali said: “Digital transformation is part of Alba’s fiveyear strategy. We believe that the various digitisation projects - ongoing and the ones we plan to do shortly - will progress our transition towards Industry 4.0 - in line with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.”

Alba’s CMO Khalid A. Latif, who was part of the Panel Discussion on ‘Logistics and Transport: The Mobility and Connectivity Transition in the Arab World’, said: “We know the global logistics issue is a challenge for many, but such challenges are not show-stoppers for us as we are fully committed to finding ways and means to delivering our metal to our clients on time, and wherever they are.”