• Speeding up global expansion of the water business by acquiring expertise in operation and management of water supply and sewage systems
TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 11, 2010 -- On January 11, 2010, Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd. reached an agreement with the government of the Republic of the Maldives to take a 20% stake in the Maldivian water and sewage company Malé Water and Sewerage Company Pvt. Ltd. (MWSC). Based on this agreement, Hitachi Plant Technologies will participate in the operation of MWSC.
MWSC was established in 1995 in Malé, the capital of the Maldives. It presently operates water supply and sewage systems on 7 islands, including the island of Malé, and its services extend to approximately 40% of the entire population of the Maldives islands. MWSC has also acquired licenses for similar operations on 6 more islands, and is expected to further expand its business going forward.
One of the Hitachi Plant Technologies Group companies, the Singapore-based Aqua-Tech Engineering and Supplies Pte. Ltd., which manufactures reverse osmosis membrane systems*, has also developed a presence in the region and has delivered approximately 200 seawater desalination units to the Maldives to date. Hitachi Plant Technologies' involvement in the operation of MWSC will lead to upgrading water supply and sewage services of the Maldives reflecting the Hitachi Group's total strengths and know-hows, enable our Group to acquire further expertise in water supply and sewage operations and management and will function as a catalyst for new business opportunities in water supply and sewage services on a global scale including Southeast Asia and the Middle East. It will also allow us to expand from our prior focus on EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) business toward comprehensive water services. Finally, Hitachi Plant Technologies intends to leverage this opportunity to further grow its operations in the Maldives with a strong focus on its environmental and energy-saving products, systems and services.
* Reverse osmosis membrane systems refer to a specific type of reverse osmosis filter membrane that removes impurities such as ions, salt and the like from water. These membranes are used in seawater desalination, water treatment and the manufacturing of pure and ultra-pure water.The 21st century is often referred to as "the century of water," because incidents of water shortages and water pollution are becoming increasingly widespread as a result of the growing world population and the development of emerging economies. To respond to these needs, the Hitachi Plant Technologies Group is speeding up the expansion of the water business throughout the globe by proactively exploring new business opportunities, developing new technologies, investigating M&A opportunities, and promoting cooperation with collaborative projects between industry, academia, and government through leverage of the Limited Liability Partnership Global Water Recycling and Reuse System Association, Japan.
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