Saudi Arabia plans to tender or award six water-related projects in 2019 as it pushes ahead with a privatization programme that got off to a slow start, said a report.

The cabinet recently approved the tendering of seven desalination and wastewater projects, reported Bloomberg.

One was awarded this week, while three are in various stages of tender process and three more will be offered to investors next year, stated the report citing the government’s National Center for Privatization and PPP.

So far, more than 40 per cent of the bids have come from international companies relying heavily on financing from international banks, said the report.

In addition to the water projects, the government plans in 2019 to move ahead on renewable energy projects in solar and wind, parking in Riyadh and a second cargo licence station at King Khaled International Airport, it added.