Saudi Arabia Introduces Largest Set of Projects to Develop Water, Environmental Infrastructure

Saudi Arabia deploys unremitting efforts to develop the water network and raise its operational efficiency. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia deploys unremitting efforts to develop the water network and raise its operational efficiency. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Introduces Largest Set of Projects to Develop Water, Environmental Infrastructure

Saudi Arabia deploys unremitting efforts to develop the water network and raise its operational efficiency. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia deploys unremitting efforts to develop the water network and raise its operational efficiency. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia intends to offer and award more than 1.4 thousand projects with a total value exceeding 108 billion riyals ($28.8 billion), in the water distribution sector, in continuation of plans and programs to develop water and environmental infrastructure.

The National Water Company said on Wednesday that Eng. Abdul Rahman Al-Fadhli, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, led a meeting with senior executives to determine the preparations for the implementation of these major national projects.

Eng. Nemer Al-Shebel, CEO at the National Water Company, said that the new projects were an extension of the unlimited support provided by the government, in line with the objectives of the National Water Strategy and the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in the environmental, water, economic and development fields.

The projects cover 13 administrative regions of the Kingdom, including 353 projects allocated to the western sector, with a value exceeding 38.96 billion riyals ($10.3 billion), 240 projects in the central sector (Riyadh region), with a value surpassing 14.19 billion riyals ($3.7 billion).

The National Water Company has allocated 215 projects to the northern sector, including, Al-Qassim, Hail, Al-Jawf, and Northern Borders, with a value exceeding 12.95 billion riyals ($3.4 billion), and 328 projects for the southern sector, which includes Asir, Jazan, Najran, and Al-Baha regions, with a total value of 15.3 billion riyals ($4 billion).

The company intends to earmark 162 projects worth 7.7 billion riyals ($2 billion) for the northwestern sector, which includes Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah region and Tabuk.

The Eastern Province has been allocated 117 projects, with a value exceeding 16.17 billion riyals ($4.2 billion), in addition to 14 projects supporting various sectors, with a value of more than 2.72 billion riyals ($720 million).



Türkiye Receives Waiver for Gas Payments to Russia from Gazprombank Sanctions

A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
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Türkiye Receives Waiver for Gas Payments to Russia from Gazprombank Sanctions

A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo
A view shows a board with the logo of Gazprombank at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 5, 2024. REUTERS/Anton Vaganov/File Photo

Türkiye has received an exemption for gas payments to Russia after the United States imposed sanctions on Gazprombank, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar revealed in response to a question from Reuters.

The US imposed new sanctions on Russia's Gazprombank in November, creating an obstacle for buyers of Russian gas, which had been using the bank to make payments. They have since been seeking clarification and exploring other ways to pay.

Türkiye imports almost all its gas requirement and Russia is the top supplier, providing more than 50% of the country's pipeline imports.

Ankara's pipeline gas imports from Russia stood at 21.1 bcm last year.

Türkiye had requested an exemption in discussions with US officials so that it can continue paying for Russian natural gas imports via Gazprombank.

The US on Thursday also granted a waiver to Hungary, which mainly relies on Russian oil and gas.