DAMMAM, 15 May 2008 — Fuhaid Al-Sharief, governor of Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), yesterday emphasized Saudi Arabia’s intend to become a leader in production and export of desalination technology.

Speaking to reporters yesterday after launching a research project, he said SWCC’s Research Institute has signed agreements with major organizations to develop desalination technology and reduce production cost.

“We have signed agreements with specialized centers in Japan and Singapore, Saudi Aramco and King Abdulaziz City of Science & Technology. We’ll soon sign a number of memoranda of understanding with universities,” he said.

“Saudi Arabia should not only import technology and equipment in the field but also export them and it should become a leader in desalination research,” Al-Sharief said while commending the institute’s human and technical potentials.

The SWCC chief said such an initiative required cooperation with advanced countries and research centers.