Partner water firms sought for Romania

British water infrastructure firms are being encouraged to take advantage of more than £21billion, which will be spent over the next ten years to modernise the water sector systems in Romania and to help bring it up to European Union standards.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is recruiting British companies for a trade seminar visit to find out more about the market opportunities. The seminar visit is from 3-7 March 2008.

The Romanian Ministry of the Environment and municipal water companies are keen to partner British water firms. Recent estimates are that the Ministry will need to spend 2.25 million euros on the water sector a day if it is to achieve its targets of compliance with EU water sector related directives. The Ministry recognises that it requires the involvement of international consultants, contractors and suppliers to achieve this rate of expenditure.   

Andrew Cahn, chief executive of UKTI said: “Only half the Romanian population has a piped water supply as well as access to a wastewater collection and treatment system. UK firms can be part of the solution helping Romania modernise its water system and bring it up to European standards.

“This seminar visit will give firms which participate access to high-level briefings and senior officials in Bucharest. The UK delegation will also go to Cluj, a north-western regional town, where a seminar will be held and where the regional water sector operating company currently serves about 630,000 people.”

Tony Allum, the chairman of UKTI's Water Sector Advisory Group, said: “The business opportunities in Romania are considerable. The Romanian government is investing huge sums in its water infrastructure and is very willing to work with UK firms to develop their water network further.”

The seminar visit to Romania is being organised by British Water on behalf of UK Trade & Investment. Any company interested in joining the visit should contact Judi Crimmins on 020 7957 4597 or email judi.crimmins@britishwater.co.uk.