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| Greater international support and participation at annual gathering of the global water industry |
SIWW, Singapore, July 4, 2011 - (ACN Newswire) - Singapore International Water Week opens today with unprecedented support from the global water community. Themed "Sustainable Water Solutions for a Changing Urban Environment", the annual platform for water solutions addresses the latest and most pertinent water challenges amidst a rapidly urbanising world. Recognising the impact of global population growth, increasing urbanisation and rising emerging economies have on precious resources, the focus at Singapore International Water Week 2011 goes beyond urban water solutions, to include climate change and management of watersheds and river basins.
This year, in line with Singapore's position as a key driver in the research and development of new sustainable water solutions, delegates will see a specific focus on innovation and R&D at Water Expo. The inaugural Water Innovations@SIWW showcases five new R&D projects spawned in Singapore. In addition, inventors of these projects will be connected with investors at the first ever TechXchange platform to facilitate commercialisation and to bring the latest advances in solutions to the marketplace.
The Water Expo attracted six new international group pavilions this year. These are Australia, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Milwaukee Water Council (USA), the Water Environment Federation (USA), and the Maryland-Asia Environmental Partnership (USA); taking the number of group pavilions to 15.
Michael Toh, Managing Director of Singapore International Water Week, said "The Singapore International Water Week brings together the entire water value chain at its five flagship programmes. It is the ideal platform for key stakeholders to meet, engage in dialogue, explore solutions, formulate strategies and achieve best solutions for sustainable water management in today's ever changing environment. We are raising the bar continually and constantly charting new frontiers. With bigger participation and new initiatives at the Water Expo, we hope to deliver an enhanced experience to all trade participants."
The immense business potential of the event and scope for opportunities in the water industry at this year's Water Expo is highlighted by the biggest ever turnout with more than 600 participating companies representing a 70% increase since 2008. Water Expo 2011 is also the largest ever in exhibition booth space, marking close to 70% growth since the event's inception.
The six new group participants at the Water Expo this year join returning pavilions from Canada, China, Germany, Israel, Japan, Korea, The Netherlands, Singapore and Taiwan, bringing the total number of group pavilions to a record 15.
Mrs Lies Janssen, Senior Project Officer, Netherlands Water Partnership of the Netherlands Pavilion said, "The theme for this year's Singapore International Water Week - "Sustainable Water Solutions for a Changing Urban Environment" - embodies our vision to provide innovative and sustainable water solutions for the world. As a key player in the Water Expo, the Netherlands Pavilion provides a dedicated platform for our exhibiting companies to showcase the latest solutions and innovations that can be adapted to the water challenges faced by the fast-evolving needs of emerging markets and changes in environmental landscapes."
Since 2008, Water Expo has grown to become Asia's most important and comprehensive water industry exhibition focusing on innovations, products and services. It also provides businesses a gateway to the regional water market.
"The Maryland-Asia Environmental Partnership is delighted to bring a delegation to Singapore International Water Week 2011. We are keen to showcase our lessons learned from the management of Chesapeake Bay, the largest most studied estuary in the United States, and to introduce some of our innovative solutions to address Asia's water needs. We see Singapore as a strategic gateway to the Asian water market and the Singapore International Water Week is a key platform for our business representatives to connect with existing customers and forge new relationships in this region," said Peter Gourlay, President and Founder of the Maryland-Asia Environment Partnership.
Further endorsement of the value that the Singapore International Water Week delivers to global water businesses is the addition of five new Founding Sponsors this year. They are Memstar, Mitsubishi Rayon, Mitsubishi Electric Asia Pte Ltd, MWH Consultants and PWN Technologies, taking the total to 22 Founding Sponsors.
"The high level representation at the Singapore International Water Week and the growth of the Water Expo underline the status of the event," says Jimmy Lau, Managing Director of Experia Events, the event organiser of the Singapore International Water Week. "The Singapore International Water Week has earned recognition as a must-attend global water event, providing all participants a great opportunity to network, forge new partnerships and explore business opportunities," he added.
This year's Water Leaders Summit, jointly organised with the International Desalination Association, aims at shaping global dialogue in the water industry. More than 350 water leaders from around the world are gathering to discuss topics arising from water governance, technology and business issues that impact communities worldwide. Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will share his views on the world's most imminent water issues and challenges as well as engage in interactive dialogue with participating delegates at the inaugural "Water Conversation".
The prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2011 will be presented to Dr James L. Barnard by Singapore's former Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew, at a ceremony and banquet on 5 July. Dr Barnard is awarded the prize for his groundbreaking invention of the Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) technology, an environmentally sustainable, biological method to treat used water. He will also deliver the Water Lecture, on the topic of restoring Nature's water, food and nutrient cycles.
This year, the Water Convention gathers some 1,200 experts to discuss technological solutions and examine current trends in water treatment and global water challenges. There will also be some 350 oral and poster presentations on the themes of Solutions for Water Systems Efficiency & Effectiveness; Planning for Sustainable Water Solutions; Water Quality & Health; and Governance & Finance.
Insights into the business potential of the world's key markets in the Americas, Australia, China, Europe, India, Japan, Middle East & North Africa and Southeast Asia will be presented at eight Business Forums. With ministers, CEOs and water leaders in attendance, the Business Forums offer participants a platform to engage in high-level exchanges and discover the potential development projects and market trends.
For more information on the full programme for the Singapore International Water Week 2011, please visit www.siww.com.sg.
Contact:
Cheryl Chan
Hill & Knowlton
Singapore International Water Week 2011
SIWW Media Centre
Tel: +65 6821 0240
Email: cheryl.chan@hillandknowlton.com.sg
Quek Ai Choo
Singapore International Water Week
SIWW Media Centre
Tel: +65 6821 0240
Email: quek_ai_choo@pub.gov.sg
Topic: Trade Show or Conference
Source: Singapore International Water Week (SIWW)
Sectors: Water, Environment, ESG
https://www.acnnewswire.com
From the Asia Corporate News Network
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