Danish businesses keen on Vietnam’s water sector

March 30, 2011 | 10:01

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Challenges and pressures in Vietnam ’s urban water supply are opportunities for the nation to enhance cooperation with Denmark , which is experienced in water treatment and supply, a senior environmental official said.

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At a conference on urban water supply in Hanoi on March 29, Deputy Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Nguyen Thai Lai said only 70 per cent of the nation’s urban population had access to clean water and the rate of water loss in the system still stands at 30-40 per cent. In the meantime, irregular upgrading of waste water systems has resulted in high risks of environmental pollution to water resources.

Vietnam ’s water resource reserves and quality are degrading in the context of rapid socio-economic development and the impacts of climate change, he said.

Director of the Grontmij Carl Bro Vietnam branch John Rockhold made objective assessments of the state of Vietnam ’s water sector after 10 years of operation in the country.

He said there were many prospects and opportunities for Danish companies to cooperate and invest in Vietnam ’s water sector, particularly with private partners in real estate and industrial zone construction.

The conference drew the participation of representatives from 11 Danish companies operating in the urban water and waste water treatment sector. Their visit to Vietnam is part of Vietnam-Denmark Water Days 2011 being held in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from March 28 to April 1.

In December 2010, the first waste water treatment plant with a daily filtering capacity of 7,400 cu.m under the European standard was inaugurated in Da Lat, within the framework of a cooperation project between the Vietnamese and Danish governments.

The VND321 billion plant has helped prevent the direct discharge of daily wastewater in the city.

VIR/VNA

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