Published Friday, 05 September, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Queensland and Singapore to share water expertise
Queensland and Singapore will work together to address issues relating to the conservation and efficient supply of water under a new agreement being developed between the two Governments.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade Gary Fenlon met with Singapore’s Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Amy Khor today.
Mr Fenlon issued an invitation on behalf of Queensland’s Water Minister Craig Wallace, for Singapore’s Minister for the Environment and Water and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim to visit Queensland and sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Urban Water Research and Management.
“Queensland is committed to working with Singapore as a recognised world leader on water issues, and we are eager to pursue potential trade opportunities from future joint-projects under an MOU,” Mr Fenlon said.
“Queensland's water sector comprises engineering, technology and manufacturing firms, water infrastructure companies, water distribution entities, education and research institutions, finance companies and government agencies. The sector has been rapidly expanding in recent years, particularly in the area of urban water supply.
“Given Singapore’s world-class reputation in water management, the Queensland / Singapore MOU could prove a valuable mechanism for exporting our State’s water products, technology and management skills to secondary markets in the future.
“Singapore has developed state-of-the-art water facilities such as the NEWater recycling facility, utilising dual-membrane and ultraviolet technologies, the SingSpring Desalination Plant and the Changi Water Reclamation Plant, which are an example to the rest of the world.
“Queensland’s export capabilities in the area of water conservation and management are set out in the Queensland Government’s Water Sector Action Plan that I provided to Dr Khor today,” Mr Fenlon said
“The Action Plan also maps the Queensland water sector’s rapid expansion in recent years and presents the sector as a promising source for new exports. It brings together the industry players to jointly market Queensland’s water sector to the world.
“The draft MOU covers emerging technologies, climate change science and adaptation, management of water supply and demand, leakage detection and loss management, water quality monitoring, water sensitive urban design and institutional capacity building.
“Following the invitation issued today, the Queensland Government looks forward to the formalisation of this important agreement,” Mr Fenlon said.
In 2007-08, Queensland merchandise exports to Singapore were worth more than $412 million placing Singapore in Queensland’s top 20 largest goods export destinations.
Media contact: John Smith 3237 1944, Jane Rowe 3237 1125 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
5 September 2008
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade Gary Fenlon met with Singapore’s Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Amy Khor today.
Mr Fenlon issued an invitation on behalf of Queensland’s Water Minister Craig Wallace, for Singapore’s Minister for the Environment and Water and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Dr Yaacob Ibrahim to visit Queensland and sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Urban Water Research and Management.
“Queensland is committed to working with Singapore as a recognised world leader on water issues, and we are eager to pursue potential trade opportunities from future joint-projects under an MOU,” Mr Fenlon said.
“Queensland's water sector comprises engineering, technology and manufacturing firms, water infrastructure companies, water distribution entities, education and research institutions, finance companies and government agencies. The sector has been rapidly expanding in recent years, particularly in the area of urban water supply.
“Given Singapore’s world-class reputation in water management, the Queensland / Singapore MOU could prove a valuable mechanism for exporting our State’s water products, technology and management skills to secondary markets in the future.
“Singapore has developed state-of-the-art water facilities such as the NEWater recycling facility, utilising dual-membrane and ultraviolet technologies, the SingSpring Desalination Plant and the Changi Water Reclamation Plant, which are an example to the rest of the world.
“Queensland’s export capabilities in the area of water conservation and management are set out in the Queensland Government’s Water Sector Action Plan that I provided to Dr Khor today,” Mr Fenlon said
“The Action Plan also maps the Queensland water sector’s rapid expansion in recent years and presents the sector as a promising source for new exports. It brings together the industry players to jointly market Queensland’s water sector to the world.
“The draft MOU covers emerging technologies, climate change science and adaptation, management of water supply and demand, leakage detection and loss management, water quality monitoring, water sensitive urban design and institutional capacity building.
“Following the invitation issued today, the Queensland Government looks forward to the formalisation of this important agreement,” Mr Fenlon said.
In 2007-08, Queensland merchandise exports to Singapore were worth more than $412 million placing Singapore in Queensland’s top 20 largest goods export destinations.
Media contact: John Smith 3237 1944, Jane Rowe 3237 1125 or Nathan Moir 3235 4060
5 September 2008