During the 16th Session of the “Tashil” Program at Asharqia Chamber:
Saudi Water Authority Announces New and Diverse Investment Opportunities for the Business Sector in the Eastern Province
Chairman of Asharqia Chamber’s Board of Directors, Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Farraj, met with Acting Vice President of the Saudi Water Authority for Strategic Partnerships and Local Content, Engineer Abdulmohsen bin Fahad Al-Yousef. They discussed areas of cooperation between the Chamber and the Authority to serve the business sector and the region’s water ecosystem. The meeting was attended by Asharqia Chamber Board Members Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al Sheikh and Ali bin Abdullah Al-Sihati, and Secretary-General Abdulrahman bin Abdullah Al-Wabel.
The Saudi Water Authority also presented a range of diverse investment opportunities to businesspeople in the Eastern Province, with a particular focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. This took place during a meeting organized by Asharqia Chamber under the “Tashil” Program on Thursday, October 22, 2026. The Chamber launched the program in April 2017 to stimulate investment in the region and establish direct communication channels between major companies and local private-sector suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers.
During the meeting, the Authority presented its future projects and plans for localization and supplier registration, as well as the investor journey. It also introduced its programs to incentivize local content and the investment opportunities available to partners in the Kingdom’s water ecosystem. The accompanying exhibition featured government entities and partners in the water ecosystem, as well as financing institutions, including Water Transmission Company, National Water Company, the General Irrigation Corporation, Marafiq, Water Solutions Company, and Riyad Bank.
Chairman of Asharqia Chamber’s Board of Directors, Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Farraj, said that the meeting with the Saudi Water Authority reflects the Chamber’s commitment to activating strategic partnerships with major national entities. He praised the Authority’s ambitious strategy to enhance local content and empower the private sector to contribute to major projects, thereby helping achieve the national economy’s empowerment targets.
Al-Farraj added that the “Tashil” Program has demonstrated its effectiveness in stimulating economic activity in the Eastern Province through expanding investment opportunities in procurement, manufacturing, and services, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 to diversify the economic base and localize supporting industries.
He affirmed that the “Tashil” Program has become a leading platform for creating high-quality partnerships between major companies and local investors. He noted that these meetings are a cornerstone for strengthening integration between the public and private sectors and achieving sustainable economic development in the Kingdom.
Acting Vice President of the Saudi Water Authority for Strategic Partnerships and Local Content, Engineer Abdulmohsen bin Fahad Al-Yousef, explained that the meeting builds on the Authority’s efforts to empower local content and build strategic partnerships with the private sector, in support of Saudi Vision 2030’s objectives and to increase the participation of local suppliers in delivering its vital projects.
He affirmed that the Kingdom’s water sector offers abundant promising opportunities that support water security and sustainable development strategies. He noted that incentivizing local investment and expanding the Authority’s partnerships with the private sector enhance the resilience and efficiency of national supply chains.
He added that the Authority is committed to creating a favorable investment environment and removing obstacles for entrepreneurs and national enterprises by providing digital enablers and advanced development programs. This will help increase the share of local content in major current and future projects and achieve the objectives of the ambitious Vision.
Asharqia Chamber Board Member and Chairman of the Industry and Energy Committee, Ibrahim Al Sheikh, explained that since its launch, the “Tashil” Program has achieved tangible success in empowering national products by giving local manufacturers and suppliers the opportunity to engage directly with major strategic companies and entities in the Kingdom, showcase their products, introduce their services, and market them.
He noted the progress made in developing local content, with its share of government procurement rising to approximately 51.2% in 2025, compared with 33.7% in 2020. This reflects its growing contribution to supporting the national economy and strengthening local value chains.
Al Sheikh affirmed that the meeting with the Saudi Water Authority builds on the “Tashil” Program’s vision and mission to support national efforts to increase local component opportunities in strategic projects. This is achieved by facilitating direct contracting procedures, providing purchasing and supply opportunities, and connecting major strategic companies with local investors, thereby strengthening integration among stakeholders in national investment and supporting private-sector growth.
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