Japan, Saudi to sign deal on water projects

Japan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to cooperate extensively on water-related projects, Japan''s NHK website reported. Japan''s Economy, Trade and Industry Senior Vice-Minister Tadahiro Matsushita and his Saudi counterpart will sign a memorandum on Sunday in Riyadh. The memorandum stipulates that Japan will provide Saudi Arabia with advanced technology for a seawater desalination project and construct waterworks and sewage systems. The two countries also agree to hold regular consultations on Saudi Arabia''s water policy. In accordance with the memorandum, a major Japanese construction firm and Yokohama City will jointly conduct a survey in the Kingdom, with a view to winning large-scale waterworks projects there in the future. Japan hopes that water-related business opportunities will lead to expanded infrastructure exports. It also aims to secure a stable supply of oil by further deepening bilateral ties, in the face of power shortages following the recent nuclear accident.