Biwater and Wood have set up a strategic partnership to work together in Iraq to address acute water shortages, starting with the supply of water to the Basrah region.
The agreement between the two UK infrastructure firms follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Government of Iraq and UK Export Finance (UKEF) in March 2017, to underwrite £10 billion of infrastructure projects in Iraq over the next 10 years.
Commenting on the new partnership, Biwater’s chairman Sir Adrian White said: “I am delighted with this new partnership, which is another significant step forward in delivering our respective ambitions within the water industry. Biwater’s focus will be to work with Wood – applying the vast knowledge and expertise of both companies – to deliver on the immediate requirements for Iraq’s water infrastructure, especially that required by the Basrah Governorate.”
Bob MacDonald, CEO of Wood’s Specialist Technical Solutions business, said: “We are proud to be offering our diverse capabilities and broad, innovative solutions to support a partnership that offers our continuing support to the redevelopment of Iraq as well as making a difference to millions of people. Our focus will be on providing safe and reliable water distribution systems to the Iraqi population. We look forward to working in partnership with Biwater, which is another significant step towards broadening our portfolio.”
Biwater has delivered a number of strategic turnkey solutions across the Middle East, including the Mafraq Wastewater Treatment Works in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and the Buwayb Desalination Plant and Jeddah Water Reuse Facility in Saudi Arabia. In 2016, Biwater was awarded a landmark water and wastewater treatment project in the Middle East backed by UK Export Finance, which will address complex water-related challenges in the region.
