A two-part series by NPR focuses on the Middle East's worst water crisis in decades as a result of climate change, drought and mismanagement. The series focuses on the headwaters of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which affects Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon and the fact that this already troubled region is confronting a new phenomenon: water refugees.
Contrary to popular perception, water seldom is the single cause for violent conflict, but it certainly can accelerate and exacerbate tensions. Perhaps, the latest example in the region is Yemen, whose multiple conflicts are enhanced by a falling water table and acute water shortage. Water plays a key role in Turkey's relations with Iraq and Syria, who believe that Turkey uses its control of the Tigris and Euphrates head waters as a tool to realize its regional ambitions. NPR reports:
"Syria and Iraq blame Turkey's huge network of dams on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers for reducing water supplies by 50 percent.Turkey is the site of the headwaters of a river system that Syria and Iraq depend on. An informal agreement determines the flow downstream.
'When we had bad relations with Turkey, they reduced the flow of water despite the agreement, and now, thank God, we have excellent relations with Turkey, and hopefully, we will not see any cutoff of water,' Syrian economist Nabil)Sukkar says.
Turkey says there is enough water for everyone, but Syria and Iraq waste their share. (Hussein) Amery, (a Middle East water management expert and professor at the Colorado School of Mines. says the Turks are partly right. 'The issue is water but it goes far beyond water, he says. Amery says the key to head off a water crisis is more efficient management of a scarce resource. But he adds politics, not climate, is the problem. A lot of Arabs believe that Turkey is trying to assert itself as a regional superpower,' he says, "and water is being used as a tool to advance that interest"....
In Turkey, Gun Kut, a water expert at Istanbul's Bogazici University, expresses an often-heard criticism in response to Arab complaints: 'Quit wasting the water and there will be enough for everybody.' Kut says outdated farming techniques and bad water management decisions waste a dwindling resource. 'Simply insisting on others to release more and more water while the population is going up, the need for food is going up, won't work,' he says."
Indeed, for much of Turkey's modern history, Turkey viewed its control of the head waters of the Tigris and the Euphrates as a Turkish resource much like oil is an Arab resource. With other words, it was Turkey's right to control access to the rivers' waters. Former Turkish President Suleiman Demirel did not mince words, when he in 1992 inaugurated the Ataturk Dam, part of the Southeastern Anatolia Project, one of the world's biggest irrigation and electric power schemes. "We have a right to do anything we like," Demirel said at the dam's opening ceremony.
That attitude, however, may be changing as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan seeks to position his country as a regional superpower. In a sign that Turkey is seeking cooperation rather than confrontation, Turkey and Syria agreed in the first week of January to joint management of some water resources.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Water Expo China attracts record number of exhibitors and visitors
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A total of 10,239 visitors from 30 countries and regions attended Water Expo China 2009 to view the latest water industry technology at the Beijing Exhibition Centre from 18 – 20 November 2009. This was a 26 percent increase in visitor numbers compared to the 2008 show.
There were 10,009 domestic visitors and 230 international visitors, representing an increase of 26 per cent and 8 per cent respectively. In addition, the number of visitor countries and regions rose from 26 in 2008 to 30 in 2009, an increase of nearly 12 per cent.
Water Expo China was sponsored by China’s Ministry of Water Resources and approved by the Ministry of Commerce. It was organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and the Chinese
Hydraulic Engineering Society (CHES). Mr Jiang Shu Shen, Vice-Chairman of the National People’s Congress and Mr Hu Si Yi, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Water Resources were among the guests at the official opening ceremony.
The show also attracted a record number of exhibitors – 252 from 18 countries and regions, covering six halls in a total exhibition area of 16,000 sqm. The exhibitor number was an increase of 26 per cent compared to the 2008 show.
Mr Jason Cao, General Manager, Messe Frankfurt Shanghai Co Ltd said that China’s water business reform started in 2002. “As a result there are numerous opportunities for domestic and international companies to assist China in its commitment to upgrading the water industry. What makes Water Expo China different from similar shows is that it provides a forum which brings together water industry players and key decision making government officials.”
This year, Water Expo China showcased seven key industry sectors: water business, irrigation and drainage, water and soil conservation, information and instrumentation, water-related equipment and rainwater harvesting.
Exhibitors showing their most advanced technologies included Beijing Capital, Veolia, Sino-French, General Water, Duoyuan Clean Water Technology Industries, Laurel, GRUNDFOS and Anhui Guozhen Environmental Protection.
Ground water specialists, Schlumberger Water Services from Canada were exhibiting at Water Expo China for the third year in succession. Mr Martin Draeger, Marketing Manager said: “One of the Chinese government initiatives for 2009 and moving forward is a national ground water monitoring network and they have chosen our technology to be the key one for that. This is as a result of being in China and through Water Expo China being more visible among the water resources groups, together with our local office presence. It’s a combination that allows us to meet all the right people. Water Expo China has been good for us and that’s why we will do it again next year. In China we have come to learn that it is all about building relationships and about being patient.”
Another third-time exhibitor was pipe-coupling expert Straub Werke AG from Switzerland. “I am very happy with the high quality government visitors,” said Mr Peter G. Mueller, Sales Director. “Business is just starting because like all businesses in China you have to work three to four years and that’s what we have done. Now we see that business is slowly starting here and there.”
Mr Horst Maier, Export Director for German company Tyco Waterworks GmbH & Co said his company met the right kind of government visitors at Water Expo China. “We had a couple of visitors who were very interesting and China is a very big market for us. With our sophisticated products we can improve the quality of the water and our specialists can teach people by telling them how it is done in other countries. So we can give many ideas on how to plan and organise.”
Chinese company Qingdao Lanhaixi Membrane Engineering Co Ltd also met their targeted clients. Mr Yan Yonggang, Director, said: “These clients are not just coming to see the products, they asked many questions about the technology and how to use our products. These are the clients with real purchasing requirements. So we built many contacts with new clients and discussed with them face to face. The show is far beyond our expectation. We will definitely come back next year.”
Korean exhibitor, Humas Co Ltd, a water analyzer specialist reported a successful showing of their products. Mr Jack Shin, Overseas Sales Team Manager said: “As the living standard in China is getting better and better, people are concerned about their environment and water in particular. We met about 30 buyers from government, wastewater companies and universities and they are interested in our portable analyzers, desk-top analyzers and spectrophotometers.”
Returning for the second time to Water Exp China, Japanese rainwater harvesting system expert, Totetu Manufacturing Co Ltd said that after last year’s show they received five orders and were looking forward to more leads from the 2009 show. “Our aim is to bring our rainwater systems to China and to expand our business here, “ explained Mr Seiichiro Takai, Managing Director. “We don’t want to just sell our products in China, we want to team up with the right local partner and develop our company because we are here for the long run.”
Visitors to the show were also impressed. Dr Leszek Sobkowiak, from the Institute of Physical Geography and Environmental Planning Department of Hydrology and Water Management at Poland’s Adam Mickiewicz University commented: “I’m very interested in the products and technologies about water protection and water saving. There are lots of latest water project presentations at the show. It helps me to know the true situation about China’s water industry. There are very few opportunities such as this show to get such a close look into the industry.”
Indian visitor Mr Dinesh Joshi, Managing Director of Enviro Protect Utility which is involved in water, sewage and effluent treatment attended the show to source products. “I’m impressed by the range of products on show,” he remarked. “In fact, I’ve seen a new machine from Korea which can get rid of a lot of water bourne diseases and a lot of health problems. I’m looking forward to marketing that machine in India.”
Local visitor Mr Yang Zhiqiang, Sales Engineer, Beijing Sumsun EP Hi-tech Co Ltd said: “There are so many new products and technologies at the show. It’s like a one stop platform that keeps me updated with the latest water industry trends and developments. It’s very helpful and informative.”
Mr Wang Zhengdong, Client Manager of Beijing First Priority Technologies Co Ltd said he visits the show every year: “It’s a ‘can’t miss’ opportunity to get information about the latest technologies and products. This really helps me to understand more about the new industry trends and developments.”
Country pavilions from Japan, Korea and Singapore and special pavilions from China attract show visitors
This year’s Water Expo China saw pavilions from China, Korea, Japan and Singapore. Making a first time appearance at the show with a pavilion was the China Environment Chamber of Commerce (CECC). This non-profit organization helps water companies from China and overseas to achieve greater success. The organisation has more than 80 well-known domestic and international members.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of China’s Ministry of Water Resources, 28 provincial and municipal water authorities exhibited their achievements and latest projects in an exclusive hall with many regional pavilions. Around 4,500 provincial group visitors from 30 provinces visited this section of the fair.
The Korean pavilion which showcased six companies was organised by the Uisan Business Support Center and the Japanese
Pavilion featuring three companies was organised by JETRO.
The Singapore pavilion hosted five companies and was organised by the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises.
Making their first appearance in the Singapore Pavilion at the show was Singapore’s WaterSource International Pte Ltd. Their product transforms tap water into alkaline water. Mr Michael Lee, the company’s Marketing Director said they were encouraged by the Singapore Government to exhibit at the show in order to give their product more international exposure. “We had many people who are interested in our product and they wanted to talk to us about distributorship. I think this is one of the best places to show our product. China is a huge market and the target audience is quite right for us.”
Euroflo Pumps International Pte Ltd from Singapore was also a first time exhibitor and were happy with the achieved results. Mr Max Chiew Soon Hock, General Manager said: “The results are very encouraging. We had good quality visitors and we will be visiting them after the show. This trip was more for understanding the customer from the ground base and to see the government requirement and the direction they are moving to. We will come back next year.”
Strong attendance at on-site seminars and 4th China (International) Water Summit
Several exhibitors presented their products and technologies at on-site seminars which were well attended by visitors. Taking part were:
* Water Source International, Singapore: Water that transforms your life
* Straub Werke Ag, Switzerland: An introduction to the Swiss pipe connection
* Tyco Water, China: Tyco needle valve application for flow and pressure regulation in water resources management
* GRUNDFOS Pumps (Shanghai) Co Ltd: GRUNDFOS brand promotion and information exchange seminar
Also running concurrently with Water Expo China was the 4th China (International) Water Summit attended by more than 800 delegates from around 10 countries and regions who listened to key government and industry figures talk about a wide range of topics which included:
* Water pricing in China
* Supply safety for urban and rural water
* Wastewater treatment and reuse
* Business model for water businesses
* Water financing
* Sustainable use of water resources
* Rainwater harvesting
Mr Pan Wentang, General Manager Beijing Capital Co Ltd whose company participated in both Water Expo China and the water summit said: “We are very honoured to have joined Water Expo China four times. Out of these four editions, this year is the best one. The summit is also very successful. The China water industry is facing big challenges now and it’s very important for all the enterprises and government to get together and find the solutions. The fair and the summit provides us a very good opportunity to meet each other and solve all the urgent problems together. ”
Mr Huang Xiaojun, Vice President of Veolia Water (China) added: “Nowadays, China’s water industry is developing very quickly and we are coming to a very key period. The fair and summit are very influential events in the industry. I’m very glad that we can join in.”
The 2010 Water Expo China will be held 17 – 19 November in a new venue at the China National Convention Center. For more information on Water Expo China, email Ms Rebecca Zheng on rebecca.zheng@china.messefrankfurt.com or visit www.waterexpochina.com
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