Alba’s Chairman Mahmood Hashim Al Kooheji stated this following the second quarterly meeting of the company for 2011, which was held here.

The Alba board of directors earlier held its second quarterly meeting, with updates on the implementation of the company’s growth strategy as well as the progress on the different studies related to its growth options.

The board approved 2011 year-end financial forecasts presented by the management.

“The first half of 2011 presented many challenges to companies in Bahrain, and Alba was not an exception. However, Alba maintained normal operations and managed to achieve substantial growth in sales and production. This success was due to the focused leadership demonstrated by the management team as well as the commitment and loyalty shown by Alba’s employees. I am confident that this fine example of remarkable teamwork will pave the way for greater accomplishments in the second half of 2011, and yield positive results for the company,” Al Kooheji said.

The board reviewed the updates on the company’s growth strategy, the various studies related to Alba’s growth options, and the progress achieved on the back of the improvement action plans. The board was further updated on the Alba Vision and the Alba Star Project.

The board accorded the approval for the 2011 year-end financial forecasts presented by the management as well as to the investment project aimed at increasing Casthouse’s production capacity.

It also approved the opening of the company’s European Sales Office in Switzerland.

The board reviewed the management report as well as reports prepared by the board audit committee and the human resources committee.

The Alba board of directors comprises six directors appointed by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, which in addition to is chairman include Fawzi Ahmed Kanoo, Yusuf Abdulla Taqi, Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Osama Mohammed Al Arrayedh, and David Meen.

The two directors appointed by Sabic Industrial Investments Company are Mutlaq H. Al Murished, and Humood Abdulla Al Towaijri, and the independent director, Abdul Aziz Al Humaid.

Alba’s senior executive management team including Alba’s Chief Executive Laurent Schmitt, Chief Supply Chain Officer and acting Chief Operations Officer Isa Al Ansari, Chief Financial Officer Tim Murray, Chief Marketing Officer Jean Baptiste Lucas attended the meeting.

Al-Kooheji expressed his thanks and appreciation to the government of Bahrain, led by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Al Kooheji also expressed his gratitude for the continuous support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah

Alba has been consistently ranked as one of the largest aluminum smelters in the world, and is known for its technological strength, global competitiveness and innovative policies.

Alba produces more than 860,000 tons per annum of aluminum which meet or exceed the industry standard for purity, with products including standard and T-ingots, extrusion billets, rolling slab, propertzi ingots, and molten aluminum.