1 July 2010

• Alba remains committed to Bahrainisation and appoints more than 30 new Bahraini employees.
• The Bahraini employees will work as operators in the carbon, reduction and workshop & metal service departments.
• Bahraini nationals comprise 87 per cent of Alba's total workforce of nearly 3,000.

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba)'s position as one of the pillars of Bahrain's economy, and key supporter of the kingdom's Bahrainisation efforts received an impetus when more than 30 new Bahraini nationals were recently appointed to various departments in the company.

The newly appointed workers who were all recent graduates from educational establishments in Bahrain have joined as operators in the Carbon, Reduction and Workshop & Metal Service departments. They were commenting on the appointment of the more than 30 new Bahrainis, Alba Chief Executive Laurent Schmitt said:

"The past forty-years have given Alba the opportunity and the privilege to share in Bahrain's development and prosperity. As one of the first industrial diversification initiative in the country and the region, the company succeeded in introducing a new economic segment that today contributes 12 per cent of Bahrain's GDP. Alba's employees have played a prominent role in the company's success story, and am proud to say that Bahraini nationals who comprise majority of the workforce have greatly helped in Alba's transformation into one of the world's leading and globally competitive aluminium smelters.

"As I welcome the new batch of Bahraini employees to Alba, I am confident that their performance will provide a strong foundation for actualising some of the ambitious goals we have for the future. I like to wish them success in their jobs and their careers as well as give them assurance of our support for their professional growth.

Alba has nearly 3,000 employees, and Bahraini nationals comprise 87 per cent of the workforce. The company supports training and development of employees, and for this purpose, has a dedicated training centre to empower them with skills and knowledge. A large number of Bahraini employees have benefited from this facility that has given them the means and the ability to face challenges and adopt a solution oriented approach.