SOHAR, Oman, Nov. 15 --CNW -AsiaNet/InfoQuest Speaking at the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) Conference today, Alcan Inc.'s (NYSE, TSX: AL) Senior Vice President and President and Chief Executive Officer, Alcan Primary Metal Group, Cynthia Carroll, said that the Company is well positioned for sustainable business growth in the Middle East Gulf region. Ms. Carroll identified Alcan's participation in the proposed Sohar aluminum smelter project, located in the Sultanate of Oman, and the adoption of the its leading edge aluminum smelting technology package and engineering solutions by others in the region as critical examples. "The Sohar aluminum smelter project is an important example of how the Middle East Gulf region is strategically turning the challenges of the aluminum industry into sustainable business opportunities," said Ms. Carroll. "Alcan's global, full-economic cost leadership, operational know-how and management expertise, and presence in Oman, are an excellent platform from which to build an unsurpassed partnership and business development opportunities in the region," she added. In February, Alcan signed a Shareholders' Agreement for the development of the proposed 350 kt/year smelter project. This project is the first time that proven AP35 Technology will be used in a new smelter. A second potline of similar capacity is planned to be established in the future. The smelter willprovide a major economic boost to the Al Battinah Region of Oman. "Alcan's proven smelting technology package is the best available in terms of full economic cost, environmental impact, and sustainability for smelter expansion. Aluminum remains the material of choice in an ever widening range of product applications, due to its cost effectiveness and sound environmental record," said Ms. Carroll. In her remarks to the conference, Carroll outlined three key challenges facing the aluminum industry which the Middle East Gulf region is well suited to address: energy costs, raw material availability, and achieving a sustainable business model that addresses environmental regulations and socialexpectations. "These issues are not necessarily new, but taken together they are increasingly challenging and are among the points that Alcan is focusing on as it strives for value maximization," said Ms. Carroll later on in the day to a group of local and international senior executives meeting to further discussopportunities in Oman and the Middle East Gulf region. "At Alcan, we view globalization as an engine for promoting diversity, helping generate new markets, and stimulating innovation and technology transfer. The Middle East Gulf region and particularly Oman are showing signs of progress that address these realities, and that is why we are here," she concluded. Ms. Carroll's speech as well as the presentation will be made available on the Company's website at www.alcan.com. Alcan is a multinational, market-driven company and a global leader in aluminum and packaging. With world-class operations in primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum as well as flexible and specialty packaging, aerospace applications, bauxite mining and alumina processing, today's Alcan is wellpositioned to meet and exceed its customers' needs for innovative solutions and service. Alcan employs almost 70,000 people and has operating facilities in 55 countries and regions. Statements made which describe the Company's intentions, expectations or predictions may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of securities laws. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty; the Company's actual results could differ materially from thoseexpressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. SOURCE: Alcan inc. Contact: Media Contact: Chrystele Ivins, +33-1-56-28-24-18, chrystele.ivins(at)alcan.com; Anik Michaud, +1-514-848-8151, media.relations(at)alcan.com; Investor Contact: Corey Copeland, +1-514-848-8368, investor.relations(at)alcan.com; --Distributed by AsiaNet (www.asianetnews.net)--