DESERT NATION TO HEAR ABOUT QUEENSLAND'S WORLD-CLASS WATER MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES

Queensland’s response to the long-lasting drought is proving valuable to other nations seeking to manage, conserve and maintain precious water supplies.

Minister for Trade John Mickel is today spreading the message in Saudi Arabia that Queensland is well placed to provide water management skills, technology and infrastructure that could be of use to desert nations.

“Saudi Arabia is one such nation, and I will be highlighting Queensland’s world-class water planning and management capabilities in my meeting today with His Excellency Abdullah Al-Hussayen, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Water and Electricity,’ Mr Mickel said.

“This is an excellent opportunity with significant potential to develop Saudi Arabia’s water management capabilities and to work toward the Q2 initiative of a stronger Queensland economy.

“Population growth is placing extreme stress on Saudi Arabia’s water desalination and recycling infrastructure. The government forecasts that up to US$50 billion is needed in Saudi Arabia over the next twenty years to meet the increasing demand.

“I see strong potential for collaborative activities focussing on water supply in the future between the Queensland Government and Saudi Arabia.

“I am very keen to discuss the planning and delivery of the Queensland Water Grid Project with the Minister, as well as the highly successful Target 140 program. It not only reduced household water consumption in the short term, but also successfully educated Queenslanders about the real value of water for the long term.

“At our meeting today, I will provide the Minister with a copy of the Queensland Government’s Water Sector Action Plan which maps the State’s core capabilities in this important area.

“I will also invite the Minister to bring a Saudi delegation to Queensland to examine the State’s water capabilities, and see first hand the innovation that Queensland is leading with in the area of water management.

The Minister is currently leading a trade mission of 38 representatives from 24 Queensland companies to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

18 November 2008

Minister Mickel’s office contact : Jane Rowe 3237 1125 or David Robertson 3235 4060