Alba’s Annual General Meeting Announces Approval for Cash Dividends

Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba)’s Annual General Meeting “AGM” was held on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at the Gulf International Convention Centre, Gulf Hotel, during which approval was given to the distribution of cash dividends related to the fiscal year 2011.

The dividends amounting to BD 94,712,000 (US$ 252,000,000) are equivalent to 67% of the nominal value of the company’s shares - 67 fils per share of which 27 fils was already distributed to the shareholders in August 2011.

The dividend will be payable from March 15, 2012 to Alba's shareholders of record as of March 8, 2012.

The 2011 Corporate Governance Report was tabled before the shareholders.

Approval was given to the minutes of the Previous Ordinary General Meeting held on March 30, 2011. The Report of the Board of Directors for the year 2011 was discussed and approved while the Auditors Report for the year ended December 31, 2011 was reviewed during the meeting.

Audited financial statements for the fiscal year 2011 were approved at the AGM where Net Profit reached US$ 564 million - up by 53% YoY as compared to US$ 368 million in 2010.
Approval was also given to the transfer of BD 114,819,000 to retained earnings and BD 2,371,000 to statutory reserves as well as to the Directors’ remuneration amounting to BD 200,000 for 2011. The Board was also authorised to specify their remuneration for 2012. It was also agreed to absolve the Directors from any liability in connection with transactions relating to the business and activities of the Company recorded in the 2011 financial statements.

Commenting on the declaration of cash dividends at the AGM, the Chairman of Alba's Board of Directors, Mahmood Hashim Al Kooheji said:
“2011 is a break-through year for Alba - it will be marked as a year in which the company achieved a sound financial performance underpinned by healthy cash flows as well as the highest metal production in the company’s 40-year history.

As a result, the company’s shareholders have been the prime beneficiaries of Alba’s accomplishments in 2011 amid a challenging year.
Embarking on 2012, I am confident that Alba is well placed to sustain the path of Continuous Improvement & Operational Efficiency through the leadership of the management team and its skilful workforce.” At the AGM, it was also decided to re-appoint both the Bahrain Bourse – the company's official share registrar – as well as the company’s External Auditors.