Giant water hub will spearhead development of Middle East water industry
Dubai, UAE - GE Infrastructure's Water and Process Technologies division today announced plans to set up a US$5 million Regional Centre of Excellence (COE) in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza). The new 38,000 sq. mtr. facility will act as the regional hub for GE water's operations when it becomes fully operational in June of next year.
Earlier today Nick Powell, GE's General Manager for Water and Process Technologies, and Shehab Sultan Mesmar, Jafza's Regional Manager for the Americas & Africa, signed an agreement to establish the plant, which will become the region's largest water facility and will house 40 staff. The Centre will support the water needs of customers throughout the Middle East and Africa region and serve as a training facility in the water treatment and desalination technologies developed by GE.
Nabil Habayeb, GE's President and CEO, said the new facility reflects GE's commitment to the region. He said: "GE Infrastructure, Water and Process Technologies is one of the fastest growing segments in our Middle East operations and is core to our growth strategy. This new initiative is consistent with GE's record of playing a key role in advancing the region's infrastructure for more than 70 years."
Powell explained, "GE Infrastructure's water unit is a world leader in the field of water and process treatment and is a US$1.9 billion global business. The new facility will become the largest and the only purpose-built water plant in the region. It will enable customers to enjoy improved service, enhanced speed of delivery and year-round availability."
"Our water operations have served the region for more than 15 years, from our current facilities in Europe. But, with the challenges the region has around water we felt it was time to show our commitment to assisting in those challenges as well as grasp the opportunity to develop a center of excellence staffed by local talent."
"The choice of Jebel Ali allows us to take advantage of the free zone's advanced infrastructure, eco-friendly environment, customer-friendly government policies and tap into a pool of regional talent which will better position us to achieve our aggressive growth targets."
As part of the new facility at Jafza, GE Infrastructure intends to establish a water treatment chemicals plant and a water treatment equipment assembly facility to ensure their manufacture and trade are carried out in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Currently, GE imports chemical products from its plants in Italy for distribution to Middle East and Africa customers. The new facility planned will incorporate state-of-the-art reverse osmosis and water treatment systems in addition to a mobile water systems assembly shop.
Shehab Mesmar said: "We are pleased that one of the world's leading water technologies providers has opted to set up its regional hub at Jafza. This agreement builds on the long-standing relationship we share with GE.
Mesmar then explained that "Corporations such as GE can expect the ideal environment for their operations, for growth and success in Jafza. They are able to operate efficiently and cost-effectively from strategically located warehousing and a distribution and industrial hub which provides access to more than 2 billion consumers."
He added that "Jafza has achieved its big growth during the last 20 years through its experience in attracting such companies, and the number of registered companies has reached more than 5000 now and it belongs to more than 120 countries worldwide which are working in various commercial, manufacturing and distribution fields, moreover, we have more than 215 reputable American companies registered with us."
He concluded, "Jafza is pleased to have such important companies and we are looking forward to having long relationship with them."
The Middle East produces more than half of the world's desalinated water. GE Infrastructure is addressing water scarcity by utilizing its expertise in advanced membrane and filtration technology to complete a number of major projects in the region.
Recently, the group announced it was taking a lead role in the Sulaibiya facility in Kuwait - the world's largest membrane-based water reclamation facility - as well as the HAMMA project in Algeria, Africa's largest seawater desalination plant.
Powell added: "The new facility planned for Jafza is at the forefront of GE's ecomagination commitment. It joins our expanding ecomagination and water scarcity solutions portfolio, which includes a wide-range of customized solutions designed to create new sources of usable water."
"The Centre will position GE to play a key regional role in building innovative solutions to solve tough problems such as water scarcity."
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About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work -- a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
GE has been active in the Gulf since 1933. Its activities in the region are conducted through direct presence, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and a wide network of distributors. GE has completed strategic projects in various hi-tech industrial sectors, defence-related contracts and major infrastructure developments.
About GE Infrastructure, Water & Process Technologies
GE Infrastructure, Water & Process Technologies, a unit of General Electric Company, is an industry leader in solving the world's most pressing water reuse, industrial, irrigation, municipal, and drinking water needs. Through desalination, advanced membrane, separation solutions, and water reuse and wastewater management and process technologies, GE delivers added value to its customers. By improving performance and product quality, reducing operating costs, and extending equipment life through a broad range of products and services that are designed to optimize total performance; protect customers' assets; prevent fouling and scaling; and safeguard the environment through water conservation and energy reduction. For more information on GE Infrastructure, Water & Process Technologies, visit www.gewater.com.
For further information, please contact:
Rania Rostom
Communications Manager
GE Middle East & Africa
Dubai
UAE
Tel: (+971 4) 313 1807
Fax: (+971 4) 313 1907
Email: rania.rostom@ge.com
Kelly Home
ASDA'A Public Relations
Exclusive Affiliate of Edelman PR Worldwide in Middle East and North Africa
Dubai, UAE
Tel: (+971 4) 335 5969
Email: k.home@asdaa.com
© Press Release 2005
