Last week, a delegation of 17 senior executives from the UK water industry attended WATEC in Israel’s biennial Water Technologies Conference and Exhibition.
The delegation, which included representatives from United Utilities, Arup, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Unilever, South East Water, Britvic, Syrinix, and British Water amongst others was one of the largest international delegations to WATEC.
The delegation, organised jointly between the Trade & Economic Office at the Israeli Embassy London, the UK Israel Tech Hub at the British Embassy Israel and British Water, was a great success, with companies seeking to pursue partnership with Israel in developing advanced water-tech solutions across their businesses and international markets.
Arriving on Monday, the delegation was treated to a networking dinner hosted by Rob Dixon, the British Deputy Ambassador to Israel, whom was joined by a number of Israeli tech companies specialising in the water sector.
The next morning, the UK delegation departed to WATEC where they attended the conference and exhibition and met with technology companies from across the globe. A particular highlight of the event was Israel New Tech’s Innovation Pavilion, which hosted a variety of Israeli start-up companies developing exciting new technologies in water and renewable energy.
On Wednesday, the UK delegation departed for Netanya Water Utility where they heard about the efficient methods of supplying residents of the region with water. The group then departed for Petah Tikva to visit ODIS, one of the world’s leading companies in the development, design and manufacture of filters, water and wasterwater treatment systems. At ODIS, the delegation was treated to a site tour as well as an introduction to the company Woosh, which is piloting unique water fountains across Tel Aviv.
Following lunch, hosted by ODIS, the delegation continued to Shafdan Wastewater Treatment Plant, the largest wastewater treatment plant of the national water company Mekerot. At Shafdan, the group were shown around the facility and met with representatives from Mekerot, Aquanos and Advanced Mem Tech.
The next day, the delegates returned to WATEC for the final day of the exhibition to meet with additional water companies from Israel and around the globe as well as taking part in a Panel and Reception which explored opportunities for UK Israel Water-Tech partnerships. The event hosted by the Israel Export Institute and the UK Israel Tech Hub at the British Embassy Israel, provided an excellent conclusion to what all agreed had been an intense and productive few days in Israel.
The real work however has only just begun, as Israeli and UK water companies build on their meetings and seek to create real and tangible partnerships across this innovative, vital and burgeoning sector.
