OREANDA-NEWS. February 06, 2014. Shanghai Electric opens its KSA Branch in Riyadh on January 5th 2014.  Mr Abdullah Bin Abdulrahman Al Hussen, H.E Minister of Water and Electricity and Mr Wang You, H.E Commercial Counselor of Chinese Embassy in KSA, were invited and attended the opening ceremony.  Mr Yuan Yi, Vice President of Shanghai Electric Power Generation Group, made an opening speech in the ceremony as a representative of Shanghai Electric.

As the third overseas branch after Shanghai Electric’s Vietnam and India branches, the opening of Shanghai Electric’s KSA branch symbolizes that Shanghai Electric has stepped up its pace and has now reached a new level of internationalization. The market strategy of Shanghai Electric for its overseas power plant engineering business has expanded from Southeast Asia and India to cover also the Middle-East, a relatively more developed market.

When Mr Abdullah Bin Abdulrahman Al Hussen, H.E Minister of Water and Electricity, made his speech in the ceremony, he recalled the deep impression he had with his recent visit to Shanghai Electric not long ago.  He was amazed of the fast development of the economy of China and appreciated very much the great changes and success resulted from such development.  He encouraged more Saudi companies in the power industry to visit China to get a first-hand impression on China’s rapid development and to learn more about Shanghai Electric.

He also pointed out that China’s equipment manufacturing industry has already obtained a very high ranking in the world and congratulated Shanghai Electric on having a better and more prosperous future in the development of Saudi’s power equipment market.
 In his speech representing the Chinese government, Mr Wang You, H.E Commercial Counselor of Chinese Embassy in KSA, affirmed the solid progress of Shanghai Electric in the implementation of the internationalization strategy for Chinese enterprises.  Mr Wang expressed clearly the standing of Chinese government to support Chinese companies entering the Saudi market, and that the Chinese government will provide the necessary assistance and supportive policies to those Chinese companies willing to explore the Saudi market.
 Mr. Yuan, in his speech, emphasized on the significant potential of the Saudi Arabia’s power market as well as Shanghai Electric’s commitment and passion in contributing to the future development of such market.  He also pointed out that Shanghai Electric KSA Branch will be a permanent establishment for Shanghai Electric which will serve the whole Middle-East’s power market.

After the opening ceremony, Mr. Yuan Yi visited Saudi Electricity Company  and Saline Water Conversion Company upon invitation by the top management of such companies.
The opening of Shanghai Electric’s KSA Branch was reported extensively by major local media. 

Even the official website of Saudi’s Ministry of Water and Electricity specifically mentioned this event with introduction about the capability of Shanghai Electric in equipment manufacturing and engineering projects.

Among the distinguished guests invited to the opening ceremony are Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Ibrahim, H.E Deputy Minister of Water & Electricity and President of Saline Water Conversion Corporation, Dr. Saleh Hussein Al Awaji, H.E Deputy Minister of Water & Electricity and Managing Director of Saudi Electricity Company,  Dr. Abdullah Al Shehri, H.E Deputy Minister of Water & Electricity and Governor of Electricity &Co-Generation Regulatory Authority,Al Hijian Executive President of Water and Electricity Company  Mr. Mohammed Abunayyan, Chairman of ACWA Power, and other distinguished guests from local government, representatives for major Chinese companies in Saudi and friends from local media and related parties.