Media Announcements
Thursday, May 27, 2010 - 19:07
| By Sally Toh
for SIWW
()
Leading Water Utilities Highlight New Opportunities in an Ever-Changing Water Market
Some 200 academics, industry players, and investors are expected to hold intense debates on the future of the water market at the Australia Business Forum this year. A market marked by huge swings in climatic conditions, mega water projects, and intense environmental awareness, Australia can be an extremely challenging market to work in. Yet if the results of the recent Global Water Awards are anything to go by – Australian companies and projects swept three of the 13 top awards – it can be richly rewarding.
As the driest inhabited continent, Australia is most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. A decade-long drought has also meant that up until 2009, the Australian water market, with an annual capital expenditure of more than US$4 billion , has been an attractive target for the private sector. However, with huge desalination plants and large water supply projects already rolled out in every major state, the future of the Australian water market is starting to be questioned by industry insiders. Torrential rains in 2009 and early 2010 have fuelled further speculation that many large projects may be cancelled or postponed indefinitely.
Fortunately, the government’s massive ten-year A$12.9 billion Water for the Future scheme to secure Australia’s water sources is going ahead as planned. While the rains have certainly helped to restore Queensland’s reservoirs to close to maximum capacity, average reservoir levels in other states like Victoria and Western Australia remain well below 40 percent. In South Australia, some of the reservoirs are practically empty, as the Murray River, a major source of water, no longer flows to the sea without continual dredging. Water restrictions therefore remain a way of life in many cities.
At the Australia Business Forum 2010, leading utilities from major cities around Australia will reinforce the message that Australia is still very much committed to ensuring long term water sustainability. Industry leaders will clarify the business opportunities available across the country. These range from large wastewater treatment plant upgrades to plans for smaller storm water harvesting and water reuse projects. Expertise is also being sought in the lucrative new area of treating brackish water from the extraction of coal seam gas in Queensland.
“With the government’s aggressive initiatives in driving water reform across the country and the growing impact of climate change across the globe, Australia is in a unique position to blaze the trail in developing a blueprint that countries worldwide can adapt and localize for their respective water reform programs. We are optimistic that the continued dynamism in the Australia water sector will boost more private and public sector collaboration as well as open up new business opportunities for the market,” said Tom Mollenkopf, Chief Executive of the Australian Water Association.
Michael Toh, Managing Director of Singapore International Water Week, added: “The Australia Business Forum will present some unique project opportunities, not just for large industry players, but also for mid-sized companies. It underscores Singapore International Water Week’s value as a business platform for all types of companies in the water industry. Australia is also a good example of a country that has rapidly risen to the task of delivering solutions well supported by clear government policies, strong environmental legislation and the latest technologies. They epitomize the spirit of sustainable cities – the theme of the Singapore International Water Week.”
Besides hearing about the upcoming projects across Australia, a CEO panel comprising leaders from the private sector will share their experiences working in the Australian market. Participants will learn about working under an alliance contracting model, community engagement with a people passionate about the environment, delivering projects under some of the strictest environmental legislations in the world, and other practical issues.
Key delegates who will address the forum include:
• Mr Rob Skinner, Managing Director, Melbourne Water
• Mr Peter Moore, Chief Operating Officer, Water Corporation
• Mr Greg Claydon, Executive Director (Strategic Water Initiatives), Queensland Department of Environmental and Resource Management
• Mr Dan McCarthy, President & CEO, Black & Veatch Water
• Mr Minoru Kikuoka, Global Head (Membranes), Nitto Denko and Chairman & CEO, Hydranautics
• Mr Geoff Linke, General Manager (Environment & Water), Sinclair Knight Merz
The Australia Business Forum will be held on the morning of 1 July at the Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Center, at the Gallery East. It is jointly organized by the Australian Water Association and PUB Singapore. Other business forums which will be held during the Singapore International Water Week will focus on the Americas, China, Europe, India, Japan, Middle East and North Africa, and Southeast Asia. In addition to sharing market details, the eight Business Forums will host the signing of several memoranda of understanding between water bodies and commercial entities to share best practices and boost the development of water solutions and infrastructure.
Monday, May 17, 2010 - 14:51
| By Sally Toh
for SIWW
()
The 300 attendees to the highly-anticipated China Business Forum at Singapore International Water Week 2010 will receive key market intelligence on the outlook and drivers for doing business in the China water sector. According to the London-based Global Water Intelligence, the China water market is estimated to be worth more than RMB 225billion with a yearly growth rate of about 9.5 per cent. Increased financing and support by the government, greater yields from high-value water projects and exponential demand for city-state water management solutions in China have focused the water world’s attention on this emerging superpower economy, and will be key themes in the dialogue at the flagship event.
Business opportunities in China’s water sector have been on the incline and many Singapore-based water companies have secured a strong presence in one of the fastest-growing water market in the world. This is supported by strong public investments such as the Chinese government’s allocation of RMB 1 trillion for investments in the water sector in its 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010).
As the most populous country in the world, the need to meet water demand across the rapidly-urbanising country with a population of over 1.3 billion has led to an urgent call for sustainable water projects to boost water supply, quality and affordability. In addition, the government has also identified water treatment and management infrastructure enhancement as key to maximising precious resources of water.
The dialogue at the China Business Forum will be led by representatives from China’s Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Housing and Ministry of Urban-Rural Development, as well as officials and mayors from provinces and cities, who will provide detailed insights on the water resources outlook in China and demand for wastewater collection and treatment.
Ms Pan Shuhong, Co-Chair of the China Business Forum and Executive Chairman of Memstar Technology Ltd said: “China’s water industry has benefitted tremendously from the government’s RMB 1 trillion investment. We are very confident that the impending 12th Five-Year Plan will inject greater stimulus for further investments in the water sector. Under China’s focus of developing a resource-efficient environment, the need to capitalise on various financial and technical resources becomes increasingly crucial. This creates immense opportunities for organisations which are keen to participate in the advancement of China’s water sector.”
The country’s rapid industrialisation and urbanisation, coupled with the ever-increasing irrigation needs for agricultural use, continue to drive the pressure for regular, high-quality and sustainable water supply. These have generated significant business opportunities in water reclamation, water treatment, and desalination as China looks externally for win-win partnerships and solutions with proven track records to address its water issues.
As the first to construct China’s largest desalination plant in Tianjin to treat up to 100,000m3 of water daily, Singaporean company Hyflux has gained a strategic foothold in the China market. Other companies such as United Envirotech, Memstar and Sembcorp are also making their presence felt. United Envirotech and Memstar are jointly building one of Asia's largest Membrane Bio-reactor in Guangzhou, with a treatment capacity of 100,000m3/day, while Sembcorp’s sustainable wastewater treatment/reclamation project in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, is the recipient of the Honour Award at the 2010 International Water Association (East Asia Regional Project) Innovation Awards.
“China is a fast-growing market and international water companies are racing to create a strong presence there. However, demands and challenges for water projects vary in the many cities and provinces of China. As such, attendees of the China Business Forum held during the Singapore International Water Week will find the market-specific insights provided by Chinese officials and water companies beneficial in enabling them to discover concrete and viable business opportunities. The sharing of global best practices will also ensure that attendees find the session rewarding as they forge partnerships that will drive the advancement of China’s water industry,” said Michael Toh, Managing Director of Singapore International Water Week.
Key delegates who will address the China Business Forum include:
Mr. Ye Jianchun, Commissioner, Taihu Basin Authority, Ministry of Water Resources
Mr. Lin Xudian, Deputy Director-General, Department of Water Resources, Guangdong Provincial Government
Mr. Chen Tie, Chief Engineer, Beijing Water Authority
Mr. Li Qiang, General Manager, Jilin Water Group
Senior officials from China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development
Additionally, the China Business Forum will also feature a special presentation on Tianjin Eco-City, a collaboration project between Singapore and China, to showcase highlights of the water aspects within the development.
The China Business Forum will be held on 1 July at the Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre. Other Business Forums which will be held during the Singapore International Water Week will focus on Americas, Europe, India, Japan, Middle East and North Africa, and Southeast Asia. In addition to sharing market details, the eight Business Forums will also host the signing of several memoranda of understanding between water bodies and commercial entities to share best practices and boost the development of water solutions and infrastructure.
Thursday, May 6, 2010 - 18:39
| By Sally Toh
for SIWW
()
Record number of eight country pavilions and over 450 participating companies leverage strategic value of this global platform
The organisers of the third Singapore International Water Week today announced a record turnout expected at the annual event this year, boosted by the debut of two new country pavilions, a 10 percent increase in the number of participating companies, and more than 70 co-located events to date. Recognising Singapore’s position as the global hub for water technologies, more leading water players are investing their R&D dollars here, and will be leveraging the Singapore International Water Week as a platform to make these announcements.
Toray, a leading Japanese membrane manufacturer and one of Water Week’s new founding sponsors, will officially open their R&D centre in Singapore during the Water Week. The Water Week will also see the official launch of Netherlands Water House, a set-up that will enhance cooperation and strengthen ties between Singaporean and Dutch businesses and research institutes in the water sector.
Overwhelming participation by industry players can also be seen by the sell-out success of the Water Expo. All available exhibition space has been completely taken up, a strong testimonial of the relevance of the Water Week as a proven global platform for showcasing technologies, forging partnerships and tapping business opportunities presented by the fast-growing water industry.
Acknowledging the strategic value and pro-business environment of the Water Week, water companies from Canada and Korea will for the first time participate in the Water Expo this year under the flag of their respective country pavilions. They join returning country pavilions China, Europe, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands and Singapore, to bring the total number to a record of eight pavilions this year. Following their success in previous editions of the Water Week, Japanese companies will showcase their latest water solutions in an expanded exhibition space, which has grown nearly 1.5 times as compared to the Japan Pavilion last year.
In addition, Singapore International Water Week 2010 will see a larger number of co-located events. Highlights include the inaugural Asia Pacific Water Ministerial Forum, the 14th Meeting of the UN Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation, the second World Cities Summit, the first ever River Basin and Delta Management Workshop and the IWA Project Innovation Award. The Water Week will also be supported by 25 international organisations, both returning and new, such as the World Water Council, Arab Water Council, International Society for Trenchless Technology, UN Habitat, Korean Water Forum, and ANEAS (Asociación Nacional de Empresas de Agua y Saneamiento) of Mexico. Reinforcing the Water Week’s stature as a significant global water solutions platform, Black & Veatch, one of the Water Week’s founding sponsors, will conduct the last in a series of six international roundtable sessions during the Water Week. This high-level discussion will bring together industry thought leaders to discuss how to overcome barriers to water reuse as part of an integrated water portfolio and thereby inspire new solutions. Singapore was chosen as the final destination for this global dialogue as it serves as a best practice model in adaptive water management.
Said Michael Toh, Managing Director, Singapore International Water Week: “Singapore International Water Week takes a pro-business approach towards inspiring innovative water solutions for the global water needs. The positive response from the movers and shakers of the water world tell us that they recognise the value-add generated by the quality platforms and holistic programme at the Water Week. We hope that by bringing the best minds together, we can catalyse the advancement of sustainable and viable water management infrastructure, and build an ecosystem conducive for the delivery of clean and affordable water globally.”
The over 12,000 attendees to the Singapore International Water Week and more than 450 participating companies at the Water Expo will now have more opportunities to connect with fellow participants and water companies ahead of the Singapore International Water Week, which will be held from 28 June to 2 July. Through the newly-launched online portal, Connect@SIWW, participants will be able to engage potential business partners prior to attending the event so as to maximise their time during the Water Week. This will complement the many networking events at the Singapore International Water Week as well as Industry-to-Industry Networking Tea Sessions hosted by local industry associations to provide rich networking grounds for connecting the water community and in creating cross-industry business opportunities.
Recognising the concerted effort required to develop efficient and innovative solutions and to address key water challenges, this year’s Water Leaders Summit will focus on three critical areas in water management. These are:
Good governance: sustainable and integrated resources management
Innovative technology: clean solutions for green growth
Sound financing: ensuring affordability and sustainable infrastructure
The three themes will be explored at the Joint Opening Plenary of the Water Week and the World Cities Summit, ensuring that issues related to sustainable urban living take global centrestage among the ministers and leaders from the public and private sectors as well as top academia participating in the event. Working with the International Desalination Association (IDA) and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy’s Institute of Water Policy, the by-invitation only Water Leaders Summit will be attended by 300 luminaries, including 15 Ministerial/Vice Ministerial-level representations from key markets.
More than 160 oral presentations from over 30 countries will be made at the Water Convention, jointly organized by the International Water Association (IWA) and supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), where trends and challenges facing the water world globally, and in particular, in Asia Pacific and the Middle East will be examined. In line with the theme of this year’s Water Week, the selected presentations will focus on issues related to water quality and safety, financing and pricing, and urban water sustainability, with new countries such as Belarus, Belgium, Cyprus, Iran, Ireland, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan joining the important dialogue.
To generate greater synergy and facilitate dialogue in the governance and financing of water innovations, eight country and region-specific Business Forums will be held at the Water Week. At these Business Forums, industry experts and leaders in public policy will share insights on each country’s market growth and potential, giving investors and solution providers a clearer outlook of prospective business opportunities. In addition to sharing market details, the Business Forums will also host the signing of several memoranda of understanding between water bodies and commercial entities to share best practices and boost the development of water solutions and infrastructure.
