The private sector is increasingly turning its attention to the water sector in the Middle East.

Bob Smith, Concession Specialist at Metito, the international desalination, water, and wastewater treatment specialist, told the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Arabia Summit in Dubai that PPP was the only way to efficiently meet the exponential growth in demand for water.

He expects water and waste water investment in the region to reach US$ 120 billion (EUR 90 billion) over the next decade. He said: “Water must be managed as a social good and supported with sound economics.” But he warned that a failure to set tariffs that cover costs would lead to a huge misuse of water.

Saudi Arabia intends to float shares in its new water company through public offering as demand for water grows with its surging population, says its Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah Al Hussayen.

Meanwhile, more than 200 water and wastewater projects are currently underway across Iran and 14 water treatment plants will become operational by March.

Related news: Middle East and North Africa: most countries face water scarcity by 2050, Source Weekly, 22 March 2006.

Source:WaterTech.Online, 21 Nov 2006 (citing Khaleej Times and Iran Daily); Al Bawaba, 22 Nov 2006

Tags: financing, policies & legislation