HH Sheikh Hamdan chairs DUBAL annual general meeting to review 2004 performance

During the meeting, HH Sheikh Hamdan reviewed the company's annual financial and operational performance for 2004. During the year, DUBAL achieved 683,000 tonnes total production, an increase of 40% against 2003.

HH Sheikh Hamdan reviewed DUBAL's business plans, strategic future projects and the company's programme for the next 10 years. HH Sheikh Hamdan also praised the DUBAL management for the successful completion of AED650 million three-year programme on various environmental projects and protection equipment within the smelter area.

HH Sheikh Hamdan urged the DUBAL board members and senior management staff to implement the highest international safety and environmental standards to provide a world class work place setting and maintain the international reputation of DUBAL as one of the world's largest producers.

In order to make nationalization more meaningful, HH Sheikh Hamdan instructed the board of directors to take all necessary steps and initiatives to provide essential and relevant training to the UAE nationals.

DUBAL has already earned an international reputation as one of the pioneers in initiating novel management concepts that have helped productivity at its various areas of operation. This will continue to grow in the future. The board members were further asked by HH Sheikh Hamdan to spare no effort in strengthening DUBAL's position as one of the leading players in the global aluminium industry.

The board of directors has updated HH Sheikh Hamdan on developments related to the Potline-7 expansion, which is expected to go operational during June 2005. This will raise the production level by 80,000 tonnes. The project is expected to be completed 12 weeks ahead of its provisional schedule.

HH Sheikh Hamdan was also briefed on DUBAL's training courses for UAE nationals during 2004 where DUBAL conducted 1,267 training courses out of which 522 were related to operations, 135 linked to environment, health and safety in the work atmosphere and 64 on management development courses. In 2004, DUBAL recruited 100 new national staff meeting the target set for the year, which represents an increase of 3% over 2003.