In September 2017, Water. Desalination + reuse (Faversham House) reported that the South Korean Agency of Infrastructure Technology Advancement (KAIA) and the Middle East Desalination Research Centre (MEDRC) had signed a memorandum of understanding. The two sides agreed to share know-how on water management, above all seawater desalination. The deal followed a trip to Oman by South Korean government and business figures promoting Korean infrastructure expertise. KAIA ran a research programme for Korea's land, infrastructure and transport ministry.
The report showed South Korea treating desalination as a field for technology exports to the Gulf, using research cooperation as an entry point.