The government will support the development of water resources in four oil producing countries in the Middle East, government sources said Thursday.

The government, in cooperation with the private sector, plans to present water-efficient projects to Kuwait, Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The move is an effort to strengthen ties with the Middle East countries to secure oil resources and promote Japanese businesses in the region.

The proposals will include projects to distill fresh water from seawater and the establishment of an effective water recycling system, the sources said.

Tokyo will also accept technical trainees from the four countries and will conduct environmental impact assessments, they said.

The projects will be subsidized with funds budgeted for supporting oil-producing countries.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will dispatch officials in early 2002 to conduct on-site inspections, hoping to conclude a framework for the projects, the sources said, adding a delegation will travel to the area in March to discuss details of technical assistance.