As the world’s collective environmental consciousness rises, the issues of fresh water supply and environmental conservation are becoming increasingly important. Countries and cities alike are actively seeking solutions for their water and environmental management needs. And with sustainable development becoming an international concern, the global environmental and water technology market is expected to enjoy robust growth in the coming years. In particular, the water industry, which is worth approximately US$360 billion globally, has been hailed by Fortune magazine as one of the world’s greatest business opportunities and the 21st century’s answer to oil.

Singapore has identified the environment and water industry as a strategic growth area to help diversify the economy. Building on years of capable water and environmental management, Singapore is poised to grow a vibrant industry that can tap the vast opportunities in Asia and beyond.

Far from our water rationing days in the 1960s, Singapore now aims to supply technology and products to 3 percent of the global water market over the next decade. We have invested in research and technology to develop water management capabilities for the past four decades, and continue to do so today. Singapore has transformed its vulnerability to strength with the development of major national water projects such as NEWater (reclaimed water product produced by Singapore's Public Utilities Board or PUB), the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System (a mega infrastructure wastewater conveyance, treatment and disposal system) and Marina Barrage (a dam built across Singapore’s Marina Channel that provides water supply, flood control and a new lifestyle attraction).

With the growing global emphasis on water and the environment, we are well-placed to take the lead in this industry as an R&D base and provider of water solutions. Our strategic location in the heart of Asia has attracted major global water players to use Singapore as a test-bedding and piloting base for new water technologies, and a launch pad to expand into the region. All these have resulted in a thriving water industry eco-system with over 50 local and international water companies here today.

• Attract more companies to locate their operations in Singapore
• Help grow our local companies
• Encourage companies and research institutes to research and develop cutting-edge water technology
• Export the products and services of Singapore-based companies to growing markets especially in the Middle East, China and India

• Getting major international players to anchor their R&D, engineering, manufacturing and headquarters operations in Singapore
• Grooming local companies to be world-class champions
• Creating a conducive environment for start-up companies in this industry

Already, there are many companies that have chosen to set up operations in Singapore. GE Water & Process Technologies is investing S$130 million (US$86 million) over the next decade to establish a world-scale Global Water R&D Centre at the National University of Singapore in Singapore. The centre will house 100 top-tier researchers who will employ a full range of R&D capabilities to transform innovative concepts into products and solutions that will address real world demands. Research conducted will aim to alleviate pressing water issues, including water treatment and systems integration, fundamental chemical and membrane applications, and ion-exchange technology.

Black & Veatch, a leading engineering design and consultancy company that has a core business in the water industry, established its international headquarters in Singapore to manage its Asia-Pacific operations. Black & Veatch also launched a Global Advanced Water Design Centre here in February 2007, providing engineering design services to support its water projects globally. This will be their only such strategic centre, aside from their Kansas City, Mo., headquarters, and will also incorporate a global Centre of Excellence for Desalination.

In addition, the world leader in products, systems and services for water and wastewater treatment, Siemens Water Technologies, has set up a S$50 million global water R&D and engineering centre in Singapore. The centre will be key to Siemens’ plans in becoming a competence centre for water and used water technologies in the Asia-Pacific region. Already using Singapore as its Asia-Pacific headquarters, Siemens Water Technologies also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PUB to jointly work on exploring innovative solutions to meet technological needs through R&D activities, test bedding and early adoption of new technologies.

Today, EWI continues to attract more companies to locate their operations in Singapore while grooming our local companies. Major international players are encouraged to anchor their R&D, engineering, manufacturing and headquarters operations in Singapore, while local companies will be groomed to be world-class champions.

Through internationalisation, EWI assists Singapore-based companies in exporting their businesses and operations to overseas markets, through branding and strategic marketing. EWI is also building up the technology base of the industry, to catalyse industry growth from idea conceptualisation and R&D to commercialization of new technology and products.

The need for sustainable fresh water supply is clearly an increasingly important global concern today, with countries everywhere actively seeking solutions for their water and environmental management needs. The water industry is expected to enjoy robust growth in the coming years, and Singapore will be there to ride the wave of this new economy.