Saur Group opens new international HQ in Dubai
The move is said to symbolise the water solutions and services providers’ ambitions for international expansion and its commitment to the region
French water sector major, Saur Group, has announced the opening of its new international headquarters in Dubai, in a move that is said to symbolise the company’s ambitions for international expansion and to make its expertise available to facilitate the water transition for all Middle Eastern countries.
In a statement, the group said that the new office was opened in the presence of His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA. Also in attendance was Patrick Blethon, the Executive Chairman of Saur Group.
The UAE faces some very demanding challenges in terms of water resources, and currently relies on desalination plants to supply 42% of its drinking water, the statement highlighted. As such, the country launched its comprehensive ‘UAE Water Security Strategy 2036’ program in 2017 to ensure universal access to safe drinking water by effectively addressing not only long-term supply and accessibility issues, but also the water security challenges of the years ahead, it continued.
Therefore, as a leading water infrastructure investor, operator and technology provider, Saur has fully committed to the policy adopted by the UAE to guarantee, conserve, and protect access to sufficient supplies of high-quality water resources, the statement pointed out.
In early February 2023, DEWA said it had spent $871mn on new projects in 2022.
Al Tayer stated, “I am pleased to be here today to attend the opening ceremony of Saur new International Headquarters, in Dubai. We welcome this move from Saur. With its innovative ideas, world-class infra-structure and business-friendly policies, Dubai has built a strong reputation to be the ideal global hub for businesses and a profitable base for regional and international operations. The remarkable inflow of investments and relocation of businesses to Dubai observed in recent years, is a testament to the robust commercial appeal of Dubai.”
The group is said to have amassed a recognised body of expertise in many regions subject to significant levels of water stress, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, USA, and Singapore. Across a broad diversity of international projects, it has implemented cutting-edge water treatment and renewable energy production technologies, underlining its expertise in the management of facilities that combine high performance with powerful innovation.
Saur is also convinced that the development and use of data are essential for effective water resource conservation. Unlike water, data is an inexhaustible resource whose analysis enables remote unmanned smart management of infrastructure facilities, in addition to physical maintenance and repair. The group said it is now also rolling out new AI based integrated digital platform and partnering with the most advanced technology providers to take maximum advantage of all data-driven opportunities.
The group is the first water company to have transformed its performance model to combine financial profitability with ambitious environmental commitments. It has also given its commitment to reduce the amount of water abstracted from the natural environment by 5% over 10 years and cut its greenhouse gas emissions by a factor of six. Supported by a strong private equity fund, EQT (US $100bn of assets under management), the Saur group has robust assets to answer the region’s needs, the statement continued.
In early February 2023, SEWA said it had made major progress on Khorfakkan infrastructure projects.
Patrick Blethon, Executive Chairman of Saur Group remarked, “Our opening of a new office in the United Arab Emirates is a clear demonstration of the group’s ambition to continue its international expansion in key markets. The combination of our innovation capabilities and expertise in countries suffering high levels of water stress makes Saur the preferred partner for succeeding in the specific challenges faced by the countries of the Middle East and supporting them to achieve their own water transition.”
Nader Antar, President of Saur International concluded, “It’s a great honour to officially open our new office in Dubai today, a major hub for Saur. The in-country presence of Saur International, alongside our regional HQ in Riyadh, will allow the Group to work much more closely with its customers throughout the region, and provide them with the highest level of support for sustainable, long-term water resource management.”
In mid February 2023, DEWA and ENOC signed a MoU to develop and operate a hydrogen-based mobility pilot project.
