JEDDAH, 4 February 2008 — Saudi Arabia is classified as a “priority” country for UK water sector exporters. “We are very pleased to be here and with significant developments taking place in water sector service delivery we believe that there are significant opportunities for investment and forming partnerships,” Jeremy Goad, team leader and international business specialist of UK Trade and Investment’s water and wastewater team, told Arab News on Saturday night.
“We look forward to learning more about opportunities for cooperation in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam,” Goad said on the sidelines of a reception hosted by British Consul General Kate Rudd at the consulate. This is the first time that a UK water sector mission is visiting the Kingdom. “Why we are here is due to the significant reforms going on in the water sector,” he said.
Goad said that the Kingdom’s potential for investment, especially in the water sector, was huge considering the growth of its various regions and establishment of King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh, north of Jeddah, as well as other new cities being planned around the Kingdom. “Our team this time is dedicated to the water sector and we hope to conclude tie-ups or partnerships in the coming days,” he added. One of the areas the mission is studying is the Kingdom’s desalination projects. “The Kingdom relies heavily on desalination projects and that will surely continue. In fact, it is one of the leaders in developing desalination projects. Also of prime importance is the use of wastewater,” he said.
“In Saudi Arabia, the mission will be looking at every aspect of water sector,” the consul general said. Kate, who served her country’s mission in Baghdad before assuming charge here three months ago, said that UK companies were active in Baghdad and playing a key role in Iraq’s water projects.
Omar Saeed, senior trade and investment officer at the British consulate, said the mission comprising six companies attended a presentation during the day at the Ministry of Water and Electricity on public and private partnership (PPP) projects taking place in the Kingdom, especially in Riyadh and Jeddah, as well as the future and upcoming water projects in Dammam and the rest of the Eastern Province, and Madinah. The visitors also had a meeting at the Jeddah Municipality, where they were given a presentation.
“The municipality sought British assistance to provide some solutions to water problems faced in east of Jeddah. Assistance of British companies were also sought to study and deal with water projects in Jeddah costing SR2 billion,” he said, adding that some of the upcoming water projects in Jeddah were also discussed.
“We hope that deals will be signed by all six companies during their current visit,” he said.
British companies have been active in dealing with water and wastewater projects here, he said, adding that it was very difficult to quantify the value of British investment in the Kingdom’s water sector. Giving examples, he said a British company is providing consultancy to a water project in Riyadh.
Another British company is assisting the Ministry of Water and Electricity in the consultancy project of Riyadh Water Privatization. The multibillion Jeddah Water Project also has a British firm for consultancy.
