Celebrating yet another successful year, Sohar Aluminium (SA) launched on Thursday 18/09/2014 its Sustainability Report for the year 2013 under the auspices of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Suayyid Al Kalbani, Minister of Social Development. The event that took place at Intercontinental Hotel Muscat was attended by high profile dignitaries, executives, as well as representatives of the media.

The Sustainability Report reviews Sohar Aluminium’s economic, environmental and social performance as contributors to sustainable development during 2013. The report seeks to shed light on a higher level of detail on Sohar Aluminium’s sustainability performance and has been published every year since 2009.

The visitors to the event were taken through an exhibition showcasing a number of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects that Sohar Aluminium has supported. Representatives from each CSR beneficiary presented their projects and appreciated the important role of Sohar Aluminium in its success. The beneficiaries included government institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Mr Mulham Bashir Al Jarf, Chairman of SA delivered his welcome address, officially launching the Sustainability Report and explaining its significance. “We have had a fruitful year in Sohar Aluminium, achieving an array of milestones across all spheres. This report fulfils our obligation as a transparent and responsible company by sharing with you, our stakeholders, these achievements, as well as the challenges, opportunities and future plans” he said.

Mr Mulham stressed the importance of SA’s vision “Passion for Excellence, Be the Best” and how it is deeply rooted in the way SA drives its business through the six business pillars. “Our Sustainability report focuses on each one of these pillars and our efforts to create a zero injury workplace, minimise our footprint on the environment, train & develop our workforce, maximise our positive impact in community services, support downstream job creation while continuously improving our production process, and meet the highest expectations of our customers” he added.

The keynote speech for the launch event was delivered by Mr Mahmood Ali Al Alawi, Secretary of Al Noor Association for the Blind in Al Batinah and Al Dhahira Governorates, during which he highlighted the role of Sohar Aluminium toward establishing the office for Al Noor Association for the Blind in Sohar. “We contacted Sohar Aluminium, requesting the sponsoring of the construction of the office. The response exceeded our expectations. Sohar Aluminium agreed not only to build the office, but also to furnish it completely” he said. “This generous support is not surprising from Sohar Aluminium, which has always been an asset to its society across all spheres, ranging from social to cultural.” he added.

His Excellency the Guest of Honor then recognised the participants in the exhibition with tokens of appreciation and the ceremony was concluded with the Chairman of Sohar Aluminium Board presenting a memento of gratitude to His Excellency the Guest of Honor.

Sohar Aluminium was formed in September 2004 to undertake a landmark Greenfield aluminium smelter project in the Sultanate of Oman, and is jointly owned by Oman Oil Company, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC - TAQA and Rio Tinto Alcan.