HELD UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF HH SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN MAKTOUM BIN JUMA AL MAKTOUM*

Strategic Forum Gathering Key Stakeholders from Arabia's Water & Power Sectors

Dubai, 11 July 2013 - The CWC Group has announced the second edition of the Arabian Water and Power Forum, a powerful policy and investment platform gathering policy makers, industry leaders and investors to address the two crucial issues shaping Middle East development; power and water. The three-day Forum is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum and supported by the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority and the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, and taking place 23-25 September 2013 at the Address Hotel, Dubai Marina and

The event will enable key stakeholders from Ministries and public sector authorities across the GCC to determine best practices in optimising demand and supply management for sustainable growth and gather intelligence about upcoming projects and tenders to help win new contracts.

Water is considered a scarce resource in the Middle East, with strain being put on existing supply by oil and gas projects, industrial use and a growing population. A sustainable power generation and distribution infrastructure is also important to ensure long-term growth. Although many Middle Eastern countries don't rely on hydro power, a correlation can still be found between power and water for example; desalination projects that also create electricity for domestic and industrial use. Significant projected increases in water demand across the region have resulted in governments and municipalities investing in projects to meet future demand.

“Countries across the Middle East are aware of the crucial importance of strategic projects that can ensure long-term water and power security. The second Arabian Water and Power Forum is highly issue-driven, and will gather exceptional stakeholders to find solutions with the end goal of balancing supply and demand while creating new investment opportunities” said Frederic Ponton, Director Government Relations Middle East for the CWC Group.

The Forum aims to facilitate the implementation of more efficient technologies that will enhance supply and close the demand gap. New technologies, projects and measures will be discussed to predict and manage future demand. The Forum has adopted a unique solutions-based format wherein each session addresses a specific challenge and offers implementable solutions to ensure future sustainability.

“The Forum will allow delegates to hear directly from senior ministerial figures, industry leaders and regulators to ensure businesses are geared up to take advantage of opportunities to meet the demand for water and power projects across the Middle East. It gives investors and businesses a chance to play a role in shaping initiatives that increase generation capacity and improve demand-side management,” added Ponton.

The CWC Group's Arabian Water & Power Forum will examine the sustainable development of the water and power sector across the Arabian Gulf region, by debating and developing new policies and strategies for stimulating innovation. The annual Forum is the meeting place for key government and industry leaders interested in and currently involved in the Middle East energy sector.