The International Advisory Panel (IAP) on Singapore’s Environment and Water Technology industry said Singapore has made excellent progress in research and development in the last five years.
It also urged Singapore to focus on additional areas and opportunities, as it builds on the good work in water research and technology.
The panel, which held its annual meeting on July 8 as part of the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW), said the Environment and Water Industry (EWI) programme should continue to help companies and researchers to better translate their new technologies to viable products for the market and export.
In addition, it is imperative to build talent and develop the skills set in marketing, product development and project management.
The panel urged Singapore to look into understanding and exploiting the nexus and potential synergies between water, energy and waste management, in the context of growing demand for resources and climate change uncertainties.
It said there are research and business opportunities to develop solutions to further harness energy and resources from used water and solid waste.
Co-Chair of the panel, Lord Ronald Oxburgh, expressed confidence that Singapore can take to lead the growth of water industry in the region.
He said: “Singapore has progressed very well on water R&D and developed a niche in practical water technologies. There remain opportunities in the water, energy and waste sectors to be tapped, for example, how energy and useful materials can be cost-effectively recovered, and how greater efficiency can be achieved in water-energy or waste-energy areas.
“With the strong support of the government, I believe that the industry is ready to capitalise on the rapidly growing business opportunities in the region and beyond.”
These views were highlighted by national water agency PUB in a statement on July 8.
PUB said Singapore is presently home to a flourishing water industry of more than 70 international and local companies, a significant increase from 50 in 2006.
Investments by these companies in the last five years, when fully realised, will contribute S$590 million of annual value-added to the Singapore economy and generate 2,300 professional and skilled jobs.
PUB said Singapore-based companies have also been doing well in the international water markets, with a cumulative project value reaching S$8.4 billion since 2006.
Through various incentive schemes under the Environment and Water Industry Programme Office’s (EWI) Environment and Water Research Programme, there is now a vibrant research community of 23 R&D centres working on more than 60 projects on leading-edge technologies.
