Saudi awash with potential for water companies

Water companies are being encouraged to look at opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s water industry.

UK Trade & Investment has highlighted potential missed opportunities in the desert kingdom and is now planning to lead a trade mission to help firms find out more about the business opportunities on offer as well as understand the market.

The trade mission will take place over a week from 1-7 February and delegates will visit Jeddah, Riyadh and Damman.

The Saudi government has acknowledged a need to update the dilapidated infrastructure of the water industry.

Over the next few years companies will compete for millions of pounds-worth of business as Saudi Arabia seeks to overcome water shortages and provide for a growing population and rapidly developing society.

Andrew Cahn, chief executive of UKTI, urged British organisations capable of competing for contracts to come on board.

He said: “British firms have done business in Saudi Arabia quite successfully for years. Firms who specialise in the water industry and infrastructure have worked there in the past and taken advantage of business opportunities in the kingdom.

“What we are now saying is that there are opportunities in Saudi Arabia that British firms seriously need to look at. Firms may have done business there in the past and now is the time to think about going back.

“Their knowledge and expertise is in demand and we will do all we can to make sure that companies benefit from that.”

A major water sector reform programme is underway in Saudi Arabia and for the first time in the country the private sector is being looked at to help supply water as well as deliver capital projects.

Companies that take part in the trade mission will receive detailed briefings from industry experts and British embassy officials on doing business in Saudi Arabia and the opportunities it offers.

A series of meetings has also been arranged with Saudi government officials and ministers to explain opportunities in the country.

Companies wishing to take part in the trade mission or find out more should contact UKTI’s water sector team on 020 7215 8000.