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Dubai, United Arab Emirates: For Dubai Aluminium ("DUBAL")
- the entirely state-owned enterprise that owns and operates the
world's largest single-site primary aluminium smelters that uses
pre-baked anodes - the 2012 Omega Dubai Desert Classic Golf
Tournament ("the Omega DDC") marks the 21st year that
the company has been a major sponsor of the event. Since DUBAL's
inaugural sponsorship of the Omega DDC in 1992, the company's
financial and other support has enabled the tournament to evolve
from a relatively unknown into a world-class event that attracts
the top golfers from all corners of the globe.
"Thanks to DUBAL's involvement, the Omega DDC is today one
of the best-known golf tournaments in the world," says Khalid
Buhumaid (Vice President: Corporate Relations & International
Affairs). "The high standards of the competition have drawn the
likes of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Lee Westwood - great sportsmen,
who enjoyed visiting Dubai to play in the tournament. Their
participation in the Omega DDC attracts the interest of the
sporting community around the globe, thus focusing international
attention on our city and the Emirates. Moreover, the Omega DDC
also draws large volumes of sports tourism, which has measurable
spin-off benefits for our national economy both during the event
and through longer-term business relationships."
The allied social and economic development of Dubai is the
primary objective behind DUBAL's involvement in the event. "DUBAL
has, since its inception, been committed to investing in the growth
of Dubai into a global player," continues Buhumaid. "Over the
years, our company has not only contributed substantially to the
economy both directly and indirectly, but we have also actively
supported community-based initiatives that fulfil the broader goals
of the Dubai government - especially in the education and career
growth of UAE Nationals; and high-profile sporting events that
position Dubai firmly on the world stage."
Importantly, DUBAL leverages its sponsorship of the Omega DDC to
build excellence-based partnership-type relationships with its key
stakeholders. "Every year, we invite our customers from across the
world to Dubai, to attend the Omega DDC. We then make the most of
the opportunity by holding meetings with our customers and
representatives, using these forums to share our forward strategies
and seek valuable input so as to continually improve our product
and service quality standards," adds Buhumaid. "We also invite our
local suppliers, bankers and other local business associates to the
event, as a gesture of our appreciation for these business
partnerships. In addition to the Omega DDC, a comprehensive social
programme is offered to our guests, providing ample opportunity to
experience our traditional Arabian hospitality."
Acknowledged as the industrial flagship of the UAE, DUBAL was
established in 1979. Today, the company's Jebel Ali complex has the
capacity to produce more than one million metric tonnes of molten
metal per year. The company also owns 50 per cent of Emirates
Aluminium Company Limited ("EMAL") in Al Taweelah, Abu Dhabi, where
EMAL Phase I (750,000 metric tonnes per year) has been fully
operational since the beginning of 2011 and where construction of
EMAL Phase II, which will increase EMAL's total production capacity
to 1.3 million tonnes per year, began mid-2011. In addition, DUBAL
holds shares in several upstream development projects in Brazil,
Republic of Guinea, Cameroon and India.
"The world-class stature of the Omega DDC is a natural fit with
the world-class standing of DUBAL," concludes Buhumaid. "More
importantly, the effective co-promotion of both our company and our
country is a lasting legacy: DUBAL's investment in the tournament
for the past 21 years the created an enduring foundation upon which
the Omega DDC can continue to build for many more years to
come."
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