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UK Water, Environment Team on Saudi Arabia Visit

JEDDAH — A British delegation, representing ten water and five environment companies, is on a week-long visit to the kingdom to explore business opportunities. The UK trade and investment mission is led by Jeremy Goad.

During a seminar organised at the British consulate here, Consul General Kate Rudd said the UK operates one of the most effective, regulated and efficient water systems in the world. “All British water companies have to comply with these regulations and to the very high standards involved,” she said.

“These companies have a lot to offer. In Saudi Arabia we don’t have as much water as we would like. Our shared expertise will lead to fruitful business relationships,” the Consul General added. She said the British government is keen to develop closer relationship with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s planned expansion and development of water and environmental services are being achieved through active partnerships between public and private sector organisations. “We are proud of the fact that several major UK companies are already helping to achieve this through their Saudi subsidiaries or through partnerships with Saudi commercial organisations,” Rudd said.

Nasser H. Al Aamry, senior manger with the National Water Company, outlined in his presentation the recently formed NWC’s pans and projects in the sector.

Ahsanullah Khan, environmental consultant, President’s Office, Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME), highlighted business opportunities in the environment sector in the kingdom.

Goad said the British government also had anxiety when it reformed its private sector. “We generally do not use long-term contracts. We have a closely regulated water sector and rules to ensure that businesses have enough money to function and tariffs are limited to what is appropriate. We have an environment agency that deals with things like permits to extract and discharge water,” he said.

· —habib@khaleejtimes.com