Israeli firms make splash at 6th World Water Forum

Israeli water technology companies are advancing new water projects at the 6th World Water Forum taking place in Marseille, Israel NewTech reported. Ronen Katz, Israel's economic attaché in Paris and Adi Yefet Beeri, of Israel NewTech said that a "positive buzz" has been noted regarding the Israeli booth in the show. Some of Israel's key water technology companies, such as Mekorot, Netafim and Blue took part on the conference, and according to Beeri, they have garnered the interest of several major European companies, such as Veolia, Suez and the water authorities of Marseille, Lyon and Aix-en-Provence. "The relationships with French water utilities and companies were forged when they visited the last WATEC event in November in Israel," Katz added. "I expect major projects and cooperations to come out of these follow-up meetings in Marseille." Energy and Water Minister Uzi Landau headed the mission and chaired a high-level intergovernmental session on wastewater management. The Israeli booth (Photo: Israel NewTech) The session was co-chaired by Singaporean Environment and Water Resources Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan. "Israel is pioneering in the fields of water technology, conservation, proper management of the resource and efficient and maximum use," a statement released by Landau's office said. "We take pride in this and we have much to offer. We are considered the leaders in the world in terms of wastewater treatment, and about 93% of Israeli wastewater is treated, with about 80% of it restored for reuse. "We intend to present at the conference the revolution that has passed through Israel in recent years and to challenge the member countries at the forum to double sewage treatment by the year 2025," the statement said. Israel's booth in World Water Forum was led by Israel NewTech, the Israel Export Institute, the Foreign Ministry, Israel's Foreign Trade Administration, the Israel Water Authority, and the Ministry of Water and Energy. Reprinted with permission from Israel NewTech Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter