General Electric (GE) has cut the tape at the Saudi Water & Process Technology Centre in Dammam.

The company inaugurated the $10 million (£6.1 million) facility to serve industrial companies operating in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle Eastern region.

Included in the new facilities is a water blending plant for water treatment chemicals, in addition to water reuse, wastewater and process solutions for both local and regional customers.

The GE centre has been developed in line with Saudization workforce strategies and will provide training opportunities for nationals looking to enter the energy and utilities industry.

"This technology center exemplifies our commitment to partner in the infrastructure development of Saudi Arabia. GE has been a successful growth partner for the public and private sector companies in the country since 1942," said Glen Messina, chief executive of the chemicals and monitoring solutions business for GE Water, a business unit of GE Energy.

GE has also this week announced the award of a new $11 million contract to supply advanced subsea wellheads to Brazilian oil and gas firm OGX.

Global Education and Training event for Oil and Gas: Refining and Petrochemicals