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DUBAI – Two years ago, in 2008, the primary aluminum producers in the Gulf region announced the formation of an organization – known as the Gulf Aluminum Council (GAC) – that would represent, promote and protect the interests of the aluminum industry within the region. Since then, much work has been done to establish the various committees of the GAC and build the foundations for progress toward the associations goals. This development work has culminated in the establishment of official GAC headquarters in Dubai on Wednesday.

The Board of the GAC comprises the chief executive officers of the six founding member companies, five of which have established smelters in the region, namely: Aluminum Bahrain (Alba), Dubai Aluminium Company (DUBAL), Emirates Aluminium (EMAL), Qatar Aluminium (Qatalum), and Sohar Aluminium (Sohar), in Oman.

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RIYADH – Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Riyadh Region, Tuesday night laid the foundation stone of the Prince Salman Science Oasis spread over an area of 200,000 sq. meters along King Abdullah Road in the capital.

Businessmen have put in SR400 million to create the oasis. The Supreme Commission for Riyadh Development Authority will design and build the park that would initially include administrative buildings and eight thematic show halls on earth, space, water, life, energy, technology, awareness, and three dimensional art.

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RIYADH – Lawyers are partners of judges in fulfilment of justice, Dr. Mohammed Bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, Minister of Justice, said here Tuesday evening.

Addressing a meeting of lawyers at the headquarters of Riyadhs Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the minister expressed his pride in the distinguished steps undertaken by the legal system.

In his speech, the Chairman of the Chambers Board of Directors Abdulrahman Al-Jeraisi commended King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, for the development and restructuring of the judicial system.

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RIYADH – The reform of the judicial system will only involve changes to technical procedures and will not affect the principles and basis on which the country was founded.

These were the comments made Tuesday by Minister of Justice Dr. Muhammad Bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, at his regular meeting with lawyers at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Other who attended the meeting included Minister of State Dr. Mutleb Bin Abdullah Al-Nufaisa, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission Dr. Bandar Al-Aiban and members of the chambers Lawyers Committee.

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From left: Robert Papp, region network leader, Middle East & Africa, Parts & Repairs Services, GE Energy; Stephanie Mains, general manager, Parts & Repairs Services, GE Energy; Ahmed Al Moosa, chairman of the Board, Gulf Turbine Services; EVP Industrial Business, ADAT; Rami Qasem, general manager, Services, Middle East & Africa, GE Energy.

JEDDAH – GE and Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT) announced on a state-of-the-art expansion of the Gulf Turbine Services L.L.C (GTS) gas turbine repair facility in Abu Dhabi, which will offer enhanced levels of service and support for gas turbine operators throughout the region.

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MADINA – Power was disconnected at the Madina Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Monday because the electricity bill had not been paid.

The General Secretariat said that they had sent the electricity bill along with other unpaid bills to the chairman of the MCCI, but he had not approved payment.

A man had to be rescued after being trapped in the elevator when the power was cut.

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RABEGH – Nesma Pioneering Gift will provide 28 scholarships for Masters and Ph.D. students at King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST). It was announced here Monday.

Scholarships at KAUST enable promising graduate students to participate in the institutes mission to advance science and technology, and take on the present challenges in energy, water, food and the environment.

Saleh Al-Turki, Chairman of Nesma, has requested that preference for the scholarships be given to Saudi scholars, thus providing greater opportunities and advancement for Saudi nationals.

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WASHINGTON – The Federal Reserve would gain new powers over non-bank financial firms and keep much of its authority over banks under a new bill to be unveiled on Monday by the US Senates architect of financial reform.

In a turnaround for the central bank after months of public criticism, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd was poised to release a bill that leans heavily on the Fed to fix the US financial system, sources said on Sunday.

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Cricket fans residing in the Kingdom suspect an underlying conspiracy in the Pakistan Cricket Boards (PCB) recent decision to take one of the harshest actions in the history of Pakistani cricket against seven Pakistani cricketers, while also admitting that the strong action was necessary to stamp out indiscipline in the national squad.

“I view this as a conspiracy by Ijaz Butt, PCB chairman, who handed out these penalties to save himself,” said Qadeer Mirza, chairman of the Saudi Cricket Council (SCC) and president of the Riyadh Cricket Association (RCA).

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Faris Bundakji (L), chairman of Saudi Gulf Intertrade and Initial Saudi Group, and Bill Heath, managing director of Mace Macro International, signed a Saudi-UK joint venture agreement at the British Consulate recently to provide professional management facilities and services in the Kingdom. – SG photo by Fouzia Khan