PUB plans to join forces with Japan's NEDO for R&D

R&D projects to enhance the quality of used water and produce industrial grade water.

National water agency PUB and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) of Japan signed a Letter of Intent on Monday to collaborate on research and development (R&D) projects in the area of used water treatment.

Under this Letter of Intent, both agencies will collaborate jointly on projects to enhance the quality of used water as well as to produce industrial-grade water. The tender for the projects has been called and work is expected to start in January 2011.

The Letter of Intent was signed by PUB Chief Executive Khoo Teng Chye and NEDO President Takefumi Fukumizu, who was in Singapore for a two-day official visit according to a PUB report.

The New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation, or NEDO, is Japan's largest public management organisation promoting research and development as well as the deployment of industrial, energy and environmental technologies.

Through this agreement, both agencies acknowledge the strong ties between Singapore and Japan, as well as the vibrant and conducive R&D environment that Singapore possesses.

Water has been identified as a key engine of growth for the Singapore economy, with an investment of S$330 million to be committed over 5 years to grow and develop the local water sector into a hotbed of water technologies. The citystate is actively wooing R&D investments from leading international water players and encouraging local companies to make inroads overseas.

“As part of the government’s drive to grow Singapore into a hub for water technologies, we actively seek R&D investments and encourage companies to make Singapore a global test-bed for new and emerging technologies. The collaboration with NEDO will further boost Singapore’s aspirations to become a hub for water technologies and create a more vibrant R&D landscape here,” said Mr Khoo Teng Chye, PUB Chief Executive and concurrently, the Executive Director of the Environment and Water Industry Programme Office, which oversees the growth of the water industry in Singapore.

“In addition to conducting research and development of water technologies in Japan, NEDO is focused on the promotion of these technologies overseas and is carrying out water-related projects in several countries. I believe that the joint projects with PUB to be implemented in Singapore will provide the world with valuable information on water treatment technologies and will be a beneficial opportunity for NEDO,” said Mr Fukumizu, NEDO President.

This partnership was first forged at Singapore International Water Week 2010 through a Memorandum of Understanding. The Singapore International Water Week 2010 is the global platform for water solutions that brings policymakers, industry leaders, experts and practitioners together to address challenges, showcase technologies, discover opportunities and celebrate achievements in the water world.