Water

Recognizing the critical importance of the water sector for Saudi Arabia’s development, the U.S.-Saudi Business Council serves as a key facilitator for American companies seeking opportunities in this vital industry. Through its strategic partnership with the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) and other key stakeholders, the council fosters collaboration, introducing international audiences to potential ventures within the Kingdom’s water sector through initiatives like executive roundtables and other events.

“We were delighted to participate in the 3rd annual Future Minerals Forum, and we appreciate the professional support the Council provided to the members of the U. S. delegation.”

“I joined the U.S.-Saudi Business Council delegation to the Future Minerals Forum 2024 in Riyadh as this was my first trip to the Kingdom. The U.S.-Saudi Business Council and especially Ana Carmen Neboisa did an amazing job setting up meetings with multiple government ministries and a number of local companies. They understood our needs and worked incredibly hard to get the right meetings. Highly recommend you leverage their expertise.”

“My experience with the U.S.-Saudi Business Council was exceptional. Ana and her team were professionals with a great network, both in the government and the private sector. The team went out of their way to explore opportunities to introduce us to high-level potential partners and clients. Thanks to them, we managed to increase our network and engage with potential clients immediately, an achievement that would usually take us several months in Saudi Arabia. Keep up the great work!”

This has been a rewarding experience, and I am grateful to the Council for its help and support. I especially appreciate the opportunity to meet with key executives and relevant officials within the market, which is otherwise nearly impossible to do.

Overview

Saudi Arabia, the largest producer of desalinated water globally and ranking third in per-capita water consumption, has developed an extensive network of water processing, transmission, and distribution systems despite the absence of natural water bodies.

Recent reforms in Saudi Arabia have led to a significant decline in water use by the agricultural sector, the construction of more energy-efficient reverse osmosis (RO), solar-supported water systems, and the reduction of longstanding water subsidies that kept the consumer cost of water between an estimated 5 and 10 percent of the actual production cost. In 2018, the Kingdom introduced a new National Water Strategy to address these challenges, aiming to reduce daily per capita consumption by 43 percent by 2030. According to the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA), total water demand in Saudi Arabia stood at 15.98 billion m³at the end of 2020.

Saudi Arabia’s SWCC, the largest desalination company in the world, aims to boost the private sector’s contribution to water desalination from two million m³/day currently to seven million m³/day by 2026.

U.S. companies have played a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s water sector, offering services ranging from OEM parts manufacturing to engineering and consulting. With the Kingdom’s focus on expanding manufacturing and industrial capabilities, the demand for desalinated water in the industrial sector is expected to grow, further highlighting the significance of water resources. Collaboration and innovation are essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources in Saudi Arabia.