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Nitto Denko Plans Water R&D Center in Singapore |
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SPEECH BY EDB ASSISTANT MANAGING DIRECTOR, MR KENNETH TAN, AT THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF NITTO DENKO WATER R&D CENTRE ON MONDAY, 23 JUNE 2008 AT 1.15 PM
Good afternoon,
Minoru KIKUOKA-san, Global Head of the Membrane Division for Nitto Denko,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Introduction
- I am very glad to be here today at the announcement by Nitto Denko to set up a Water R&D Centre at the Public Utilities Board Waterhub facility. Congratulations.
Nitto Denko Water R&D Centre
- Nitto Denko is a leading global manufacturer of membranes for water & wastewater treatment and its decision today marks a significant milestone for Singapore’s water industry. Nitto Denko will hire over 10 researchers in Singapore to develop cutting-edge membrane applications for used waterreclamation and desalination. Building technology know-how is a key area of focus for Singapore’s integrated water management strategy and will certainly move us closer towards our goal of self-sufficiency in water resources.
First Japanese Water R&D Centre
- This R&D Centre will also be the first R&D Centre set up by a Japanese water company here. Singapore has always been at the forefront of water technologies, working closely with leading Japanese water companies in developing advanced water treatment solutions. Without a doubt, Nitto Denko’s R&D Centre in Singapore will be a major boost in our efforts to encourage more Japanese water companies to base its global research centres in Singapore.
Singapore as a Global Hydrohub
- Nitto Denko’s decision to establish an R&D centre in Singapore will contribute to establishing Singapore as a global knowledge hub in water technology. More importantly, their decision brings us closer to our aspirations of being the “Global Hydrohub” – a comprehensive water ecosystem where Singapore-based companies, both local and foreign, can cluster and develop innovative water technologies and solutions for global markets. It is for this very reason that Nitto Denko chose to locate its R&D Centre at PUB’s Waterhub --- a stone’s throw away from the Ulu Pandan NEWater Plant, PUB’s Centre for Advanced Water Technologies as well as the R&D Centres of other companies. This gives Nitto Denko the opportunity to collaborate with various partners.
- Increasingly, Singapore’s strategic location within Asia is a pull factor for many major global water players. They are using Singapore as a launch-pad to expand into this rapidly growing region and are also launching testbedding projects for new water technologies. Nitto Denko’s R&D centre will thus add to the buzz already here and we hope that their interactions with the different players present will lead to more test-bedding projects which will potentially culminate in commercially viable solutions to be exported to the rest of the world.
- We are not one to rest on our laurels. Even though we have a robust water eco-system with many local and foreign companies already in place, we are constantly looking at ways to exceed ourselves. This is why you and I are here at the inaugural Singapore International Water Week. We want to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, experts and practitioners to address challenges, showcase technologies, discover opportunities and celebrate achievements in the water world. Thank you for attending this inaugural event and we hope you enjoy your stay in Singapore.
Conclusion
- Singapore will most definitely play an integral part in Nitto Denko’s exciting plans for the future and the EDB looks forward to supporting and building a partnership with Nitto Denko in the years to come. We also hope that Nitto Denko will be the first of many Japanese water companies to set up R&D centres in Singapore. Once again, I wish Nitto Denko much success and growth in the coming years. Thank you.
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