Algeria-Saudi Arabia: Strengthening cooperation in the field of seawater desalination

The Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, received Turki bin Saeed Al Amri, CEO of Saudi Arabia's Abunayyan Holding, a company specialising in the energy and water sectors, in Algiers on Tuesday, according to a statement from the ministry.

Covering nearly 62% of the national drinking water needs, excluding groundwater

The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Algeria, Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Bussairi, the CEO of Sonatrach Group, Nour Eddine Daoudi, the CEO of Algerian Desalination Company (ADC), Lahcen Bada, and senior officials from the Ministry. On this occasion, the two parties discussed opportunities for cooperation and investment in the field of seawater desalination and related infrastructure, within the framework of the national seawater desalination programme, as well as ways in which experienced companies can contribute to the implementation of strategic projects launched by Algeria with a view to strengthening its water security, within the framework of the "privileged relations of friendship and brotherhood between Algeria and Saudi Arabia".

During this meeting, Arkab presented the main lines of the national seawater desalination programme, implemented in accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to build new seawater desalination plants to cover nearly 62% of the national drinking water needs, excluding groundwater. This programme focuses on ensuring water security and supply to densely populated areas and the highlands, with the obligation to transport desalinated water at least 250 kilometres from the coast, the ministry said.

The Abunayyan Holding Group wants to strengthen its industrial presence in Algeria

The expertise of WETICO (Water and Environment Technologies Company), a subsidiary of the Abunayyan Holding Group, was highlighted, as it has already been involved in the construction of several seawater desalination plants in Algeria, notably in Bejaia, El Tarf and Cap Djinet, reflecting the level of cooperation and expertise acquired in this strategic field, according to the press release. For his part, the CEO of the Abunayyan Holding Group emphasised the group's interest in strengthening its industrial presence in Algeria, expressing its desire to localise the manufacture of equipment and facilities used in seawater desalination, particularly the production of membranes for desalination plants, as well as other components and equipment related to the water production and treatment chain.

Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Bussairi also expressed the group's willingness to explore opportunities for technology transfer and the development of local industrial partnerships, in line with Algeria's policy of increasing national integration rates and strengthening the industrial fabric in these strategic sectors, the statement concluded.