Serbia’s First Public-Private-Partnership Water Treatment Project Awarded to “Metito”
·The Contract for the realization of the water treatment project in Zrenjanin was signed between Metito, the City of Zrenjanin and Serbia’s Public Water Company
The signing of thefirst public private partnership project for the realization of a water treatment plant facility in the Republic of Serbia, has been announced at an official ceremony earlier this week. Metito, a leading global provider of intelligent water and alternative energy management solutions, has been appointed by the City of Zrenjanin and Serbia’s Public Water Company (PWC), as the partner to develop, modernize and operate a state-of-the-art water treatment plant in the City of Zrenjanin.
The contractwas signed by Metito Managing Director, Rami Ghandour, Mayor of the City of Zrenjanin, Simo Salapura, and PWCActing Director,Predrag Bodiroga.The signing ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Ana Brnabic, H. E. Ambassador of the UAE in Serbia, Mubarak Saeed Burshaid Al Dhaheri, Metito Vice President for Business Development, Walid Madwar, and Metito Country Manager for Serbia, Branislav Zec.
“With the signing of the Contractfor realization of a water treatment project in Zrenjanin, we have taken a huge step towards solving a decades-long problem for the citizens of Zrenjanin.I would like to thank the Mayor of Zrenjanin and his team for their persistent efforts to find a solution to such a complex challenge together, and I also thank the Public Water Company and especially Metito Company, which, based on its experience inthe watersector around the world and the innovative technologies it applies, will be our true partner on this project,”saidPrime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Ana Brnabić
The water quality challenge in Zrenjanin is a complex case and after thorough due diligence, Metito devised a sustainable and innovative solution that will see the company integrating state-of-the -art technology and leveraging its global resources and expertise while committing to environmental stewardship. Such strategic projects will help the Republic of Serbia achieve its Water Management Strategy in support of the country’s2020-2025 Vision andsustainable development goals.
The Mayor of Zrenjanin, Simo Salapura, stated: "This Contract represents a double gain. We have as our partner a renowned company that has innovative technology, and the investment value of at least 18 million EUR.The biggest guarantee of this project will be the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and we have invested maximum caution and made sure to minimize risks for the city and citizens to the lowest possible level."
Rami Ghandour, Metito Managing Director, commented:“We are honoured to work alongside the Serbian Government, the City of Zrenjanin and the Public Water Company on this strategic project. Over the course of six decades of global experience, a growing portfolio of over 3,000 projects across 50 countries, we have partnered with governments, worked with industries and communities to secure and manage their water needs. Weare confident we candeliver this project, while keeping the health, safety and environment central to our sustainable operations.”
Metito currently has two active projects in Serbia with a planned investment of approximately EUR 50 million. Earlier in 2021, Metito launched its strategic operations in the Republic of Serbia, through investing in the Zrenjanin Wastewater Treatment Plant PPP.
Metito is a key enabler of the circular economy with a strong commitment to working with governments, industries, and communities to secure and manage their water needs. Given its high-value engineering capabilities, the company provides customized and sustainable infrastructure solutions and prides itself on having delivered tens of millions of cubic meters of treated water to its Municipal and Industrial clients.
Metito is a pioneer in the water industry. The company was the first to introduce the reverse osmosis technology for desalination outside the USA in 1972 and has been innovating ever since and paving the way for the first Public-Private Partnership agreements to deliver water and wastewater solutions to several countries including, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, The United Arab Emirates, Rwanda, Serbia, and Qatar.
