SINGAPORE: Investments in Singapore's water industry
have doubled in size in the last five years - up from S$660 million
in GDP value-add in 2005.
And the government is confident it can meet its
target of S$1.7 billion in annual GDP value-add by
2015.
Over the years, Singapore has turned what used to be
a scarcity into its strength and now the water industry is seen as
a growth area for the country.
In 2006, the target was to grow the sector such that it will
contribute S$1.7 billion in annual GDP value by 2015, and to create
11,000 jobs.
Representatives from the Environment & Water Industry Programme
Office (EWI) on Thursday expressed confidence that the target would
be met.
The EWI is an inter-agency office, led by national water agency
PUB, the Economic Development Board and IE Singapore.
They gave figures showing that investments by water companies in
the last five years, when fully realised, will add about S$590
million in value add to the economy, as well as create about 2,300
professional and skilled jobs.
Singapore is now home to about 70 local and international water
companies.
At the same time, Singapore companies have also secured overseas
projects worth a total of S$8.4 billion.
Key markets include the Middle East and China. For instance, the
technology used to recycle water - similar to the technology behind
Newater - is being applied to a plant in the Bundamba Advanced
Water Treatment Plant in Queensland, Australia.
The EDB said that Singapore's strength lies primarily in research
and development as well as providing support for companies.
Yeoh Keat Chuan, Assistant MD of the EDB, said: "The early part of
the effort was focussed on rolling out a number of initiatives
relating to R&D. That typically takes a longer gestation
period.
"We are at the point now where we're hoping to see some of those
results, where technologies get rolled out into the marketplace
after being test-bedded in Singapore, and that will generate higher
value-added projects."
One key activity is the test bedding of new technologies, which
Singapore has made easier due to the infrastructure, accessibility
and the willingness to take on these often capital-intensive
projects.
Singapore's willingness to take on capital-intensive test-bedding
projects, is also a draw for foreign companies.
PUB said since 2006, there have been 107 test-bedding projects
conducted here in collaboration with PUB and private R&D firms
and institutions.
Ng Han Tong, Director of Industry Development at the PUB, said: "In
their own country, they find difficulties finding test-bedding
sites for their technologies to be tested. That's one reason.
"Secondly, if they need to do test-bedding, they have to travel
very far. But Singapore is so compact, so concentrated, they are
always in close proximity to their test-bedding."
Over the next few years, government agencies plan to continue
Singapore's focus on research and development.
They are also looking to expand their presence in markets like
China and emerging ones such as India and Indonesia.
One strategy would be to serve as matchmakers between water tech
companies and financing companies.
Goh Chee Kiong, Director of the Cleantech Division at the EDB,
said: "They tend to be capital-intensive. And very often, financing
is the bottle-neck. Because if they can't raise the financing, even
at the governmental level, they'll find it difficult to implement
their plans for their populations.
"That will be what we hope could be the value that Singapore can
provide to companies and countries in the region."
- CNA/ir/ac