Ecwatech Russia, the largest water technology event in Eastern Europe, took place in Moscow at the beginning of this month, with 700 exhibitors from around the globe and over 12,000 visitors.
The Israeli booth at the event drew some of Russia’s most prominent players in the water arena, including the management of the water authorities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, the heads of Russia’s largest private water utility Rosvodokanal, and Russia’s largest water integrators and distributors. The booth was home to 14 water companies including: Amiad, Aqwise, Arad, ARI, Bermad, Blue I, Dorot, Hadas, Hakochav, Noga, Ooval, Powercom.
One of the deals clinched by Israeli companies at Ecwatech belongs to Aqwise, which develops and implements innovative wastewater solutions for the industrial and municipal markets. The agreement calls for Aqwise to implement its wastewater treatment technology in compact installations in the Russian market. Aqwise has escalated its activity in the Russian market over the past year, reaching sales of millions of NIS. Elad Frankel, Aqwise’s CEO, says that “The wastewater treatment market in Russia is growing quickly, and the regulation in this area is becoming more and more demanding, forcing municipalities and industrial plants to meet strict international standards. Aqwise’s solutions are proving themselves to be economically viable for a number of sectors and for a variety of client needs.”
Oded Distel, head of Israel NewTech, supplied additional information on the Russian water market: “Despite the fact that Russia is a nation with a lot of water, the country is dealing with complex environmental challenges in water system management and urban and industrial wastewater. Israeli companies offer a variety of solutions for the challenges facing Russian water utilities.”
Eduard Shteinbuk, Head of the Trade and Economic Mission of Israel in Russia, believes that the Russian market holds great potential for Israeli water technology companies. “The Russian water sector is going through a modernization process that includes significant involvement of government funds both on federal and on regional levels,” says Shteinbuk. “Israeli companies are able to offer relevant solutions for Russia’s needs, and this creates real opportunities for cooperation.”
Gilad Peled of the Israeli Export Institute added, “Russia is now investing a lot in upgrading their infrastructure, in water and wastewater treatment, water resource management, and I was surprised to discover that there is more and more emphasis and consumer awareness of water quality. I saw a lot of positive business activity between Russian companies and the Israeli companies which exhibited at Ecwatech.”
The Israeli booth was organized by Israel NewTech, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor, Israel’s economic office in Moscow, and the Israeli Export Institute.
Article appearing courtesy Israel Newtech.
