TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PUB, Singapore's national water agency, and the Government of Ontario, Canada, have agreed to enter into a strategic alliance to conduct advanced clean water research and development.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Ontario and PUB will collaborate in the areas of clean water technologies and exchange knowledge and expertise that leverage each jurisdiction’s resources.
Singapore and Ontario have a shared goal to become hubs for water technologies that drive innovations through research, testing and application of emerging technologies.
“This MOU bodes well as Singapore aims to draw world-class research and development of talent and companies in the water sector, in line with our aspiration to build Singapore as a hub for water knowledge and solutions,” says Mr Khoo Teng Chye, Executive Director of the Environment and Water Industry Programme Office (EWI) and Chief Executive of PUB.
“Together, Ontario and Singapore are driving the next generation of clean water technologies. By tapping into our “made-in-Ontario” expertise, we are protecting and improving access to clean water, creating skilled jobs, attracting investments, and growing our economy – today and for future generations. Through this agreement today, I see great promise for collaboration and growth,” said Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation.
Ontario is the first North American jurisdiction to enter into such an agreement with Singapore. More than 70 water companies and 14 corporate research and development centres have already set up facilities and offices in Singapore.
Ontario has good strengths in water research and innovation. The first Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize winner, Dr Andrew Benedek, is a Canadian citizen who founded Zenon, which is based in Ontario.
The agreement demonstrates a commitment by Singapore and Ontario to develop long-term solutions for clean water treatment, management and conservation locally and globally.
About PUB
PUB is a statutory board under the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. It is the water agency that manages Singapore’s water supply, water catchment and used water in an integrated way. PUB won the 2007 Stockholm Industry Water Award and was named Water Agency of the Year at the Global Water Awards 2006.
About PUB’s tagline: Water for All: Conserve, Value, Enjoy
PUB has ensured a diversified and sustainable supply of water for Singapore with the Four National Taps (local catchment water, imported water, NEWater, desalinated water).
To provide water for all, PUB calls on all Singaporeans to play our part to conserve water, keep our water catchments and waterways clean and build a relationship with water so we can enjoy our water resources. We can then have enough water for all uses – for industry, for living, for life.
About Ontario's Clean Water Technologies
Ontario is fast becoming one of the North American centres of clean water technology development and protection. By strengthening partnerships with other leaders like Singapore, Ontario is helping to advance the speed of innovation in the water technology sector, creating reliable solutions for water management around the world.
In May 2011, Ontario will host the international Global Water Leadership Summit, to engage international partners in countries like Singapore in a discussion on the future of clean water technology, with a goal of advancing collaboration and knowledge exchange.