CASE STUDY
K
halid Jalal is one of the leading
IT figures in Bahrain – a country
that is at the sharp end of Digital
Transformation. He has extensive experience
across the sector and is now firmly
established as the IT leader of Bahrain-
based Gulf Aluminium Rolling
Mill (GARMCO) with a multitude of
global responsibilities.
This is one of the largest downstream
aluminium facilities in the Middle East and
is a one-stop source for a wide range of
premium aluminium flat rolled products,
delivered to over 45 countries, directly from
the Kingdom of Bahrain.
GARMCO’s annual production capacity has
been continuously expanded to include
high-quality flat rolled aluminium products
in various sizes and alloys, including sheets
and coils. These products are exported to
key markets around the world – stretching
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INTELLIGENTCIO
from Australia to the USA – to over 2,000
customers in more than 45 countries.
Established in 1981 by the governments
of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman,
Iraq and Qatar, GARMCO has steadily
developed into a truly global organisation
with a network of six subsidiaries and its
associate companies spanning the Middle
East, Asia, Far East, Australia, Europe and
the USA.
Today, the group employs over 600 people
worldwide, and has an annual turnover
exceeding US$450 million. Not surprisingly,
leading its IT operations is a demanding
task but Jalal has led by example to deliver
outstanding performance – not just at the
company’s headquarters but also for its
global subsidiaries.
After more than five years in his current
role, he has been praised by colleagues
for his excellent people management
skills and has received their respect for
his technical knowledge, comprehensive
project management skills, as well as his
understanding ofbusiness needs.
Intelligent CIO talks with him about
the need for IT leaders to be excellent
communicators, a subject rarely mentioned
in the tech community, and the requirement
for continuous learning due to the dynamic
nature of the IT sector.
We also discuss the importance of IT leaders
valuing their team, the versatility demanded
of a modern CIO and the advanced nature
of the IT scene in Bahrain.
Can you tell me about your role at
your current company?
As Senior Group ICT Manager, I look after
the entire ICT of GARMCO Head Office and
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