With a growing economy and proactive trade sector that includes environmental technology, the environmental sector in Saudi Arabia is poised for growth, a new study by Research and Markets said. The report titled “Saudi Arabia: Country Trends and Implications for Environmental Industry to 2012” said “Saudi Arabia's stable political environment coupled with a stringent legal environment have given the necessary impetus to the environmental sector.” The environmental industry in Saudi Arabia, though still in its developing stages, said the report, is expected to grow rapidly due to strong political impetus. Political stability during the next five years is likely to attract considerable investments in infrastructure and other development projects, which, in turn, could generate opportunities for the environmental industry, it pointed out. A liberal foreign investment policy will also strengthen the environmental industry, it added. Moerover, the study said Saudi Arabia's economy has weathered the economic downturn well. Budgetary allocations indicate a diversification into the non-oil sector, which is likely to strengthen the demand for pollution abatement equipment in industries such as construction, it noted. Simultaneously, initiatives such as technology parks and national science and technology policies will boost the technology sector in the Kingdom. The report also said Saudi Arabia is forecast to emerge as an R&D hub for environmental technologies. As the region is heavily dependent on desalination, the water segment of the environmental industry is especially primed for growth. Conducive demographic factors such as an expanding population base will also increase the demand for air pollution monitoring stations and services such as recycling. Improvements in environment-friendly and treatment technologies will contribute to the development of an advanced environmental industry, the study said. Meanwhile, Prince Nawwaf Bin Nasser Al-Saud, Executive Director of the Saudi Environment Society, will open Cost Effective Sustainable Design and Construction Saudi Arabia that will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya on June 13-14, 2010. He will represent the Saudi Environmental Society (SENS), and will announce the new Green Building-EcoSENS program at the summit. “In its efforts to encourage and promote sustainability in construction, SENS will announce that its new program, Green Building EcoSENS, is to be launched soon. “The program includes an awareness component for the general public, a specialized program for hospitals, and a certified LEED training program for newly graduated Saudi engineers. The program will be implemented in partnership with high profile specialized international agencies and the LEED rating system. Official arrangements are currently in progress and will be launched in late October 2010.” The profile of sustainable construction in the GCC has been raised in recent years, as private and public sectors have realized both the commercial and environmental benefits of sustainable practices and solutions. Saudi Arabia, due to its rapid expansion and wealth of natural resources, has been highlighted as one of the areas that has the most potential for sustainable development. Sultan Faden of the Saudi Green Building Council, commenting on sustainable construction in the Kingdom, said “sustainable construction is not new to the Saudi construction market and there have been many attempts for the last few years. However, recently there has been a shortage of public services due to a rapid increase in demand.” “There have been some excellent efforts made by King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST), King Adbullah Financial District, Princess Noura University, and some projects from Saudi Aramco” He said “continued studies and efforts within the public service sector are being carried out.” “Environmental, electricity, water supply and the environment are all on the agenda, the problem is that rate of demand is extremely high in relation to progress in these areas.”
