AHK Saudi Arabia 2

Saudi Arabia is an arid country with very little rainfall. The capital Riyadh is located in the driest part of the country and is growing rapidly. Due to rapidly declining groundwater reserves, the city is increasingly reliant on seawater desalination plants with long supply lines. For years, little investment was made in the outdated water infrastructure; the increasing demand for water was mainly met by energy-intensive desalination processes.

However, falling oil prices and the growing desire of the well-educated young population for skilled jobs are forcing the government to rethink. The focus is increasingly shifting from oil - previously the country's economic backbone - to a broader industrial policy. As part of Vision 2030, which is based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Saudi Arabia has been increasingly pursuing a strategy of sustainable development and economic diversification since 2016. The country is open to modern technologies and ready to make the necessary investments.

2020 to 2023, tenders were expected to be worth $ 21.4 billion in water and wastewater, including $ 11.3 billion for desalination, $ 7.9 billion for the water network, and $ 2.3 billion for wastewater treatment plants.

Saudi Arabia is dependent on international expertise to establish an environmentally friendly water sector. The aim of the project was therefore to support the Kingdom in establishing a sustainable water sector - both with regard to achieving the SDGs and to increase the visibility and market potential of German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The focus was on emphasising the advantages of "environmental protection made in Germany".

As a first measure, the AHK organised a webinar in which German SMEs were comprehensively informed about the political and economic situation as well as the specific conditions of the Saudi water and wastewater market. The AHK also organised workshops in cooperation with Saudi institutions to expand its sphere of influence and raise awareness among local decision-makers. This was followed by targeted cooperation talks that enabled German companies to strategically position themselves for future tenders.

Building on this, a working group was set up together with the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, which meets twice a year in person and also twice via video conference. The project concluded with the publication of a brochure summarising the project results and highlighting the commitment of German companies to sustainable water management.