More than 14,000 people are expected to visit VIETWATER 2017 and RE & EE VIETNAM 2017 exhibitions, two leading international events on water supply, sanitation, water resources, purification and energy, which opened on Wednesday in HCM City.

The three-day events have attracted more than 480 companies in the water and energy sectors from 38 countries and territories.

The companies are showcasing their products and services at 14 international pavilions: Australia, Belgium, China, the EU, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Korea, SME Tokyo, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and the UK.

They have brought the latest technologies, solutions, equipment and products to the exhibitions, which are expected to help promote business partnerships between local and international enterprises, contributing to the sustainable development of water and energy activities in Viet Nam.

Products include pumps, valves, fittings, chemicals, purification products, desalination equipment, boilers, water measurements and controls, and other services and products in the water supply, sewerage and purification sectors.

For instance, companies from Taiwan displayed energy management systems and Long Chen technology which is used in water purifiers, Walrus pumps and cashido, which is a kind of water purifying equipment.

At the opening ceremony of the event, organisers said that water and energy were essential industries for a nation’s socio-economic development.

They are used in all businesses and operations in industry, and services and construction, as well as agriculture, livestock, aquaculture and residential living.

The demand for water and energy continues to increase day by day, with demand for energy expected to increase to an estimated 13 per cent annually in the next four years.

The government aims to increase clean water access in the water industry by 95-100 per cent by 2025.

Water and energy are two important sectors which have direct influence on socio-economic development.

Over the past few years, Viet Nam has made efforts to improve water and renewable energy resources, promote international cooperation, absorb advanced technologies, and integrate with global development trends as well as attract investment in these two industries, according to the Deputy Minister of Construction Phan Thi My Linh.

Organising international exhibitions creates a good platform for businesses, organisations and individuals to exchange experiences, promote technology transfer, cooperation and investment, she said.

“The Ministry of Construction pays close attention to the efficiency and necessity of organising an international exhibition on water supply, sewerage and renewable energy,” she said.

Within the exhibition’s framework, seminars, conferences and workshops will take place concurrently on a number of topics, such as “Towards Sustainable Water Development – International Experience”, “Toward Developing Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficiency Projects in Viet Nam” and “Viet Nam – Urbanisation towards Sustainable Development”.

One of the highlights of the exhibition is the drinking water tower, which is part of a community water project the ministry is working on in cooperation with the Australian Water Association, Viet Nam Water Supply and Sewerage Association, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, SkyJuice, and Khanh Hoa’s People Committee.

This project will provide 20,000 litres of water per day at two primary schools in Khanh Phu and Lien Sang communes in Khanh Hoa Province.

The project is hoped to contribute to sustainable water development in Viet Nam. The drinking water tower will be showcased outside the exhibition area and will be moved and placed at the two schools after the exhibition.

The exhibition was organised by UBM and Viet Nam’s Water Supply and Sewerage Association, with support from the Ministry of Construction, International Water Association, Singapore Water Association, Taiwan Water Association, Korean Water Association and other energy associations, including Viet Nam Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency Association, Viet Nam Automation Association, Energy Conservation Centre HCM City, and the EU-Vietnam Business Networks, among other associations.

The exhibitions are being held at the Sai Gon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7 in HCM City. — VNS