Vol 6, Issue 4 (April 2005)

Need to know

• CHINA NEWS

  When we interviewed the head of strategy of Beijing Capital last year, he promised us that BC would be a market leader within five years.

• CONFERENCE TART

  It has been another hard month on the conference circuit for GWI with the MEED Power and Water conference in Abu Dhabi and the Water Executive Forum organised by Steve Maxwell of TechKNOWLEDGEy Strategic Group and Ultrapure Water magazine.

• ELSEWHERE IN ASIA

  Manila Water made an impressive debut on the Manila Stock Exchange in March, largely thanks to foreign investors who picked up 70% of the 745 million shares issued.

• LATIN AMERICAN NEWS

  Desalant, the desalination water company owned by Spain’s OHL, said it hopes to obtain a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) in the next few weeks, which would allow it to continue with the construction of its desalination plant that serves Aguas de Antofagasta in northern Chil

• SALES TIME

  There was no sign of an appetite for Weir Techna or Pridesa among the big industrials at the Water Executive Forum.

Analysis

• Insight - David Lloyd Owen

  Eau de Paris mineral water chic captures bottled-up issues.

• The holes in GE’s portfolio

  GE is well placed for the industrial water market. The municipal market needs more focus.

General

• 4D scoops Southern Water contract

  A consortium of United Utilities, Costain and MWH has won the contract to deliver more than 250 projects over the next five years.

• AWG taps market for £400 million

  An inflation-linked bond issue is restructured by an intermediary to retail as a fixed rate bond.

• Debate on turnover tax continues

  The 16% tax applied only to private wastewater operators is one of the many barriers to liberalisation of the German market. It can’t last forever.

• Developers express regret over Shoaiba

  EPC contractors are being blamed for the low turnout.

• Funding snag for Chennai desal

  India’s desal industry is set for take-off but it needs more coordinated support from state and central governments.

• GE sees the way to double-digit growth

  GE’s George Oliver sees an opportunity in the water industry that has so far eluded other giants. In an exclusive interview, GWI asks him: what is the strategy?

• Getting serious about water management?

  Building new capacity is a waste of money if the distribution network is not managed properly. Gulf countries have a poor record in this area but there are signs that this is changing. However, it may not be soon enough for some.

• JBIC signs raw water transfer loan

  The Japanese bilateral funding institution has put up 82 billion yen.

• Malaysia to set up asset holding firm

  The government has opted for the leasing model of private sector participation for the water sector.

• Planning the future of SWCC

  Managing a series of new projects to meet Saudi Arabia’s growing demand for water is a big enough challenge on its own. Fehied F. Alshareef is also charged with managing the successful transformation of SWCC into a privatised entity. He sets out his strategy in an interview with GWI.

• Reaching beyond Europe

  Olivia Jensen asks whether the EIB has what it takes to be a global bank.

• Sadyt aims for the big time

  Sociedad Anónima de Depuración y Tratamientos has ambitions to become a major player in the desalination market at home and abroad. Richard Weyndling talks to managing director Manuel Rubio.

• Sicily battles against the odds

  With the exception of Veolia, private water companies have steered clear of Sicily. Nadia Spaccarotella examines what has been keeping them away.

• Tlalnepantla’s OPDM downgraded

  The poster child for sub-national lending has been underperforming, but its bonds are still safe.

• Tozzi’s Concateno eyes East Surrey

  After disappointment with Mid Kent, water industry veteran Keith Tozzi looks set to take East Surrey from Terra Firma.

• WEC goes ahead with Shuqaiq IWPP

  The Kingdom’s second IWPP is moving forward.

Market insight

• Pipe dreams of success

  Gordon Cope reports on growth in the global water pipes sector and looks at what’s hot and what’s not.