Aluminium products demand growing rapidly in GCC

"There is a boom (in the construction sector) in the region and that is healthy for us," said Issa Salim Al Balushi, Director of Human Resources at Oman Aluminium Rolling Company (OARC).

The Omani executive sees demand also increasing in Asia, particularly in India. It exports are primarily to the US, Europe, Asia, Middle East and India.

OARC is a US$385 million plant and is the largest in the Sohar region. It has a capacity of producing 140000 tonnes of aluminium sheets annually.

Its products are used in a variety of industries ranging from residential and commercial air conditioning, automotive heat exchangers, food containers, foil wrap and has pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

Al Balushi said OARC is a fully Omani-run company and is owned by Takamul Investment Corporation. OARC provides other employment opportunities for many supporting businesses. The project is part of the Sultanate of Oman's vision of 2020 to diversify the economy.