UK Companies Find Great Opportunities In Singapore

• More than 20 companies from the UK take part in SIWW
• Support offered by British Water and the Department for International Trade
• Delegates briefed on high profile innovative projects in the region

Companies returning to the UK from Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) say they uncovered valuable business opportunities at the event. The UK had a strong showing at SIWW 2018, with some 23 companies making the journey.

British Water, in partnership with the Department for International Trade (DIT), hosted a pavilion at the Water Expo as well as offering support to those taking part. The biennial event, held at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre from 8-12 July, is one of the most important in the water industry calendar.

“Martin Territt, chief executive of desalination specialist Solar Water Plc said, “Singapore International Water Week was fantastic and the connections I made on behalf of Solar Water were just staggering. They are already forming the basis of some seriously good business leverage.”

Global networking
Lila Thompson, British Water international director said: “British Water is an international supporting partner of SIWW 2018 and has been involved in the event since its inception. SIWW is a key event in our calendar providing access to key buyers in the region and enabling supply chain companies to network with other leading global players.

“Feedback from our UK companies has always been positive with many reporting coming away with strong leads and projects to pursue. British Water and DIT offered direct support to nine companies, seven joined British Water in the UK Pavilion.”

The companies taking part in the UK Pavilion were Aquam, Arvia, atg UV, Servelec, Metasphere, Riventa and Solar Water. Other UK companies supported by DIT were Ant Access and Duvalco; some companies featured in a separate Scottish Pavilion.

Range of technologies
Scott Wightman, the British High Commissioner in Singapore, attended the event and also hosted a reception for over 200 people at his official residence. He remarked that the range of technologies exhibited by the UK water firms more than matched the enthusiasm of the Singaporean companies he knew. He felt sure business would thrive for them, not only in Singapore, but in the region as a whole.

British Water chief executive Lloyd Martin joined the companies in Singapore. He said, “SIWW is now a truly global event, with delegates and companies from all over the world. Participants had the chance to meet some of the top international innovators, as well as taking part in seminars on a huge variety of subjects.”

Steve Barrett, managing director of pump optimisation specialist Riventa found the week very successful, he said, “There was a huge amount of excitement about innovation and water technology at Singapore International Water Week, it draws customers from all over the world. We met with people from Australia, Singapore, Korea, UK and US and we’re following up leads on three continents based on those meetings.”

Aquam’s managing director Tim Bowen said, “What a productive week at SIWW – we had lots of interest our pipe diagnostic and rehabilitation technologies not only from Singapore, but also Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Belgium, Thailand, Philippines and India. Thanks go to British Water for supporting us in this venture.”

British Water is hosting its International Conference 2018 in London on 21 November 2018, providing another opportunity for the supply chain to get updated on global water and wastewater opportunities. Please contact lila.thompson@britishwater.co.uk for further information.

About British Water
British Water is the lead representative and business development organisation for the UK water industry supply chain.