Vol 6, Issue 5 (May 2005)

Need to know

• CHINA NEWS

  China-based water treatment specialist Bio-Treat Technology has won a new 100,000m³/d BOT project in the city of Jiangdu in Jiangsu province.

• ELSEWHERE IN ASIA

  The troubled Melamchi Project to increase water supply to Kathmandu has hit another hurdle.

• MALAYSIANS ABROAD

  As expected, Salcon Bhd has signed an agreement to acquire a WwTP and related facilities in Weifang, in Shandong province.

• MIDDLE EAST BOOM

  It has been a busy month for Middle East IWPPs. Three projects have finalised advisory appointments and are set to move forward while two more have reached financial close.

• STIRRING GIANTS

  GE launched its Ecomagination initiative this month amidst a prime-time television advertising campaign.

• THE SUEZ DIET

  Suez sold its remaining 25% interest in Northumbrian Water to Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, which agreed to pay €377 million in April.

Analysis

• Insight - David Lloyd Owen

  “Whiskey’s for drinking, water’s for fighting over.”

• The missing O

  What will open the US market?

• Veolia’s operating obsession

  A clear strategy is important when pulling a company out of a rut; does it become a liability when you are out of the rut?

General

• DBO future cloudy while DB looks sunny

  Even the most basic level of private sector participation faces a struggle in the US market. US correspondent Larry Chertoff examines the challenges.

• Ecomagination puts water at the heart of GE

  GE outlined its ambitions for its water business at the launch of its green image this month. Larry Chertoff was there.

• Engineers gear up for AMP4

  The 2005-2010 investment period in the UK is taking shape.

• Fitch doubts UU’s contract wins

  The rating agency wonders how a poor performer like United Utilities can win outsourcing contracts from better-run water companies.

• Four groups qualify for Omega project

  The Private Finance Initiative projects in Northern Ireland have attracted interest.

• German public-private debate continues

  Modernisation of the German water market is inevitable, a conference in Cologne heard last month. But to what extent will private companies be involved?

• Hoping for a demonstration effect

  Can USAID help develop the local private financing of water projects? Development finance editor Frederic Blanc-Brude investigates.

• How big is the US water market?

  Steve Maxwell and Grant Ferrier assess the growth of the business in 2004.

• Marafiq plans capacity increase for IWPP

  More water is needed but designing the extra capacity means further delays.

• Peace Carrier back on the agenda

  The scheme will transform Jordan and Palestine’s water economy. But where will the money come from?

• Private capital for St Lucia utility

  With water tariffs set at more than $1 per m³, WASCO looks an attractive proposition to the private sector.

• Taweelah B closes with a little help from Japan

  JBIC is putting up a colossal $1.2 billion to supplement the project’s commercial funds. It is a sign that the bank means business in the Middle East power and water market.

• UN urges Latin American reform

  A new study shows that the region is falling further behind the Millennium Development Goals. Leticia Lozano reports.

• Unbundling rule affects water sector

  An EU directive aimed at separating energy assets means that water assets are also being spun off by German municipalities.

Companies

• Antoine Frérot and the Veolia Water Board

  France’s corporate blue-bloods take on the world.

• Patience wins the day at Veolia

  Veolia Water’s CEO Antoine Frérot is downbeat about the speed of growth in the water sector. But does he really mean it?

• Taking on the Millennium Development Goals

  Veolia is willing to get involved – to an extent.

• Veolia strategy country by country

  The company has a single clear approach to establishing growth around the world.

• VWS plays second fiddle

  It may be the biggest in the world but it is only there to support operations.