 |
Staggering Potential
The potential of China has been well documented, with some 1.3 billion inhabitants driving double digit economic growth. The country’s entry to the WTO and the awarding of the 2008 Olympic Games has accelerated this process. As cities grow exponentially and commercial and industrial output increases, huge pressure is being placed on China’s water infrastructure.
These developments offer unprecedented opportunities for water industry developers and related businesses. An excellent Illustration is that WTO officials will soon start inspecting factories and stop exports if industrial waste water treatment is not up to standard. The result is a genuine sense of urgency to take action before China’s export trade is jeopardised.
"China's demand for water is sure to increase in the future as the country continues its process of rapid industrialisation and urbanisation. And this leads to promising business prospects in the water industry, both in water supply and water waste treatment." Qin Hong, deputy director of the Policy Research Centre, addressing the China Water Congress Beijing 2007.
The Right Time
- The government’s new Five Year plan
- 600 billion Yuan (US$ 77 billion) to be invested in the Chinese water industry from 2006 to 2010
- One third of this will go towards the construction of water supply systems
- Remaining 400 billion Yuan slated for new water treatment facilities
- Substantial sums being invested in
- Building desalination plants
- Reconstructing out-of-date facilities
- Developing water treatment systems
|
Chinese