A four-day international trade fair on water will be launched today in Taipei to examine new trends in the global water industry -- and to inform investors about business opportunities, the Water Resources Agency (WRA) said yesterday.
The expo, "Taiwan Water 2004," will run from today through Monday at the Taipei World Trade Center Exhibition Hall. The opening ceremony of the expo is scheduled to be co-hosted by both Minister of Economic Affairs Ho Mei-yueh (何美玥) and Minister without portfolio Lin Sheng-feng (林盛豐).
According to the WRA, emerging water problems jeopardize sustainable development and constitute a global crises. A 2003 UN report warned that within 50 years more than half of humanity will be living with water shortages, depleted fisheries and polluted coastlines because of a worldwide water crisis. Meanwhile, tens of millions of people don't have access to safe and clean water.
"Experts, the industry and the government should collaborate in order to develop practical strategies," WRA Director-General Chen Shen-hsien (陳伸賢) told the Taipei Times yesterday. "The expo will be a good chance for stakeholders to exchange opinions."
About 165 booths operated by participants from eight countries will present facilities and technology services pertaining to water purification, rainwater harvesting, sewage treatment, and water conservation.
To publicize potential business opportunities in water-related industries in Taiwan at the expo, more than 20 related governmental agencies will offer investors information on the domestic market. In addition, they will help domestic firms explore potential overseas markets.
Meanwhile, a three-day conference, "Water and Wastewater Treatment, Reuse, and Recycling: In Pursuit of Sustainable Water Development," will be held to offer academic and industry water experts a chance to exchange up-to-date information and pursue possible solutions to the emerging water problems of the 21st century.
Deputy Environmental Protection Administrator Tsay Ting-kuei (
"Household sewage has become the major source of pollutants in rivers," Tsay said. "However, newly established communities are equipped with simple sewage treatment facilities."
At the conference, more than 10 keynote speakers from Japan, France, Netherlands, Russia and other countries will offer their insights into the industry.
Taiwanese academic and industry water experts will also provide participants with Taiwan's recent experience in drought management, and the nation's innovative water technologies.
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