Veolia opens Abu Dhabi office

31 March 2008

France's Veolia Water is to expand its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first regional branch in Abu Dhabi.

Veolia plans to target local municipalities and industrial firms in the region, offering services in drinking water distribution, wastewater treatment and seawater desalination.

Patrice Fonlladosa, president and CEO of Veolia Water AMI says that a strong economy and growth in the region’s population, including the expected doubling of Saudi Arabia’s population by 2017, should lead to a huge increase in demand for water facilities in the coming years.

Veolia Water has won five contracts in the Gulf region since 2006, including water desalination plants in Bahrain, Marafiq in Saudi Arabia, Qidfa in Fujairah, Sur in Oman, and wastewater services in Ajman, Muscat and Palm Jumeirah.

It is also the preferred bidder for the contract to manage Riyadh’s water and wastewater networks.

Veolia Water is the water division of Veolia Environment. It has operated in the region previously through its subsidiaries, Seureca and Sidem.

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