Alba highlights IR4.0 role in boosting digitalisation in Middle East

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the worlds largest aluminium smelter ex-China, said its high-level delegation was recently in Berlin to take part in the 24th Arab-German Business Forum 2021 where they held discussions on several key industrial issues.

The event, held at the Hotel Ritz-Carlton Berlin, saw experts discuss ways to boost digitalization and also highlighted how Industry 4.0 can drive diversification in the Middle East.

Alba Chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa was a keynote speaker at the event held last week at the Hotel Ritz-Carlton Berlin.

The three-day forum is a leading platform for promoting Arab-German business relations, and features panel discussions, ambassador roundtables and country workshops with the participation of high-level speakers who focus on key sectors with economies that create opportunities and growth.

Addressing the gathering, Sheikh Daij said: "Over the last 50 years throughout Albas expansion projects, German companies have been our trusted partners on many fronts due to their renowned technological expertise. We are truly proud of the strong ties that we have developed together with our German associates over the years."

Adding further, he said: "Bahrain is one of the most friendly countries in the Middle East and we look forward to seeing more German participation in Bahrains manufacturing sector especially in our aluminium downstream cluster as Albas Line 6 Expansion Project has added 540,000 metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) to Albas +1,000,000 mtpa built-in capacity."

Albas Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali and Chief Marketing Officer Khalid A. Latif were key members of the panel discussions at the forum, which was also attended by Albas Director Marketing Boris Santosi and Director Investor Relations, Insurance & Corporate Secretary Eline Hilal.

As a panelist on the Digitalization: How Industry 4.0 can drive Diversification in the Middle East discussion, Al Baqali gave a snapshot on Albas digital aspirations and emphasised on its prime savings programme Al Hassalah which has set a $100 million target by the end of 2022.

"Digital transformation is part of Albas five-year strategy. We believe that the various digitisation projects - ongoing and the ones we plan to do in the near future - will progress our transition towards Industry 4.0 - in line with the Bahrains Economic Vision 2030," he added.

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."

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