German Delegation on Wastewater Management 2022

Saudi Arabia’s ambition to establish a sustainable water management system prompts great opportunities for business to German companies from the industrial water and wastewater sector.

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Ambition to establish a sustainable water management

The non-generative nature of Saudi Arabia’s depleting ground-water reservoirs together with its accelerating demand for freshwater led the country to place sustainable water management as a core issue of Vision 2030. To date, 90 percent of the Kingdom’s water demand is met by non-renewable sources, complemented by advanced desalination technologies. The strong Saudi commitment to developing sustainable water management and the lack of sufficient national experience in this field prompts great opportunities for business to German companies.

To introduce these business opportunities to the German wastewater sector and engage them in the Saudi Market, the German Saudi Liaison Office for Economic Affairs together with the German Water Partnership (GWP) and Mittelstand Global facilitated a business delegation visit to Saudi Arabia on behalf of the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). From the 7^th to the 10^th of November 2022, the delegation visit allowed the German manufacturers and service providers to explore the Saudi (waste)water market and introduce their technologies and solutions to potential partners and customers.

Throughout the four days, the delegation visited important institutional and private actors of the municipal and agricultural wastewater sector and learned about ongoing infrastructure projects in Riyadh, Hofuf, and Dammam. At ACWA power, the biggest Saudi developer of desalination plants, the participants got insights into state-of-the-art technologies to generate freshwater and their role in the Saudi Market. Representatives of the National Water Company (NWC), a private freshwater provider, highlighted the demand for a comprehensive water management system that ranges from mega projects and big cities to small rural communities and farms.

After two fruitful days in Riyadh, the German delegation traveled to the Al-Ahsa Region, the most fertile oasis in the country. At Al-Hassa Chamber, local authorities further elaborated on the possibilities of German companies to engage in agricultural wastewater treatment and recycling.

The delegation trip concluded with a business symposium at the Asharqia Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Dammam. Following the speeches of representatives from the Chamber, Gesalo, BMWK, and GWP, the Saudi Ministry of Investment (MISA) outlined the Kingdom’s investment targets in the Water sector and highlighted emerging opportunities for the German participants.

In summary, the business delegation was a great success. The German companies not only gained on-the-ground insights into the Saudi wastewater industry and market demands but could also explore potential local partners.

GESALO would like to thank all local and international partners for the successful implementation of the business delegation.