03 Dec MEDRC Showcase latest cutting edge water treatment technologies at annual exhibition
MEDRC’s Cutting-Edge Water Technology Showcase took place at the Sundus Rotana hotel in Muscat today. Designed to support and showcase the very latest in water treatment and reuse technologies, the event was inaugurated by H.E Laetitia Van Asch, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Oman, in the presence of Mr. Salem Al Bormany, Executive Director at OMZEST group and Mr. Abdullah Al Naimi, General Manager of Operations, Diam, who attended on behalf of His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Mahrouqi, Chairman of Diam.
Supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Oman and held under the auspices of The Public Authority for Water (Diam) the event sets out to gather key decision makers responsible for deploying new water technologies in Oman, together with leading global suppliers of the latest high-tech solutions.
Over the packed 2-day agenda, the Cutting-Edge Water Technology Showcase brings together leading companies, delegates and officials from Oman along with global expertise from the Netherlands, USA, Spain, Japan, South Korea, Italy, France, Germany, UK, Azerbaijan, Sweden and the UAE.
MEDRC Center Director, Ciarán Ó Cuinn welcomed attending dignitaries, participants and exhibitors during the opening ceremony today. Addressing the audience, Mr. Ó Cuinn said, “There is no doubt that innovation will play a critical role in solving the worlds water problems. Technological advancements will help ensure that the rising global demand for water can be met efficiently and sustainably. MEDRC together with our partners, proudly offer this annual forum here in Oman, as an opportunity for key decision makers to view, discuss and harness the very latest in cutting-edge water treatment and reuse technologies from around the world”.
This year’s showcase has been curated under two different but interlinking topics, with the first of the two-day program dedicated to water in agriculture, while the second will focus specifically on the water-energy-nexus.
During her welcoming remarks, H.E Laetitia Van Asch, the Dutch Ambassador in Oman spoke of her personal experience of farming in the Netherlands and how the challenge of water scarcity has changed the sector. “However, agriculture today is a far cry from the traditional farms that I experienced many decades ago. The circumstances have changed drastically, not only in Holland but worldwide. One of these changed circumstances is the stress on our water supply. In the seminar of today, and the whole 2-day conference, MEDRC turns its eye to solutions for working with limited water supply. And I thank MEDRC for that.”
The boutique nature of the event allows for a focused agenda targeting relevant delegates and provides more powerful networking and valuable learning opportunities than many of its larger contemporaries. Running alongside the exhibition each day, is a series of moderated panel discussions, where MEDRC has leveraged its extensive network to convene leading national and international panelists, to offer a varied perspective and thought-provoking analysis on a range of topics of importance to Oman’s water, agriculture and energy sectors. Each day will conclude with networking opportunities for attendees where business to business meetings will be facilitated in specially designated areas of the event arena.
The exhibition hall had a truly global flavor with exhibitors from world renowned organizations and pioneering countries in water treatment and reuse technologies such as: Kascade, eLEAF and the Salt Doctors (the Netherlands), KWI (Austria), Flowserve (US), A+A (Azerbaijan), GS-INIMA (Korea/Spain), Bauer (Germany), Yokogawa Middle East & Africa (Bahrain/Japan).
The showcase succeeded in attracting a comprehensive gathering of high-profile Omani dignitaries and senior officials with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Wealth, Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, Omani Agriculture Association, Oman Water Society, Diam, OPWP, Haya Water, PDO, Majis, EJAAD, the Research Council, Omzest Group, Bahwan Group, Royal Court Affairs, Sohar Port, Duqm Freezone, desalination plant management among many others in attendance.
In addition to the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Oman, the event is sponsored by PDO, Flowserve, KWI and the A&A group of companies.
Panel Topics for Discussion:
DAY 1, December 3, 2019: Water for Agriculture
- Water for agriculture: Challenges and needs in Oman
Moderated by Dr. Mohammed Al Rayahi, Director of Strategic Research Program for Water Research, The research council (TRC)
- ICT solutions for water productivity in Oman
Moderated by Professor Osman Abdalla, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University
- Non-conventional water resources for agriculture in Oman
Moderated by Dr. Salim Al Mamary, Planning and Projects Manager, Majis
- Salinity and sea intrusion challenges: solutions for Omani farmers
Moderated by Dr. Chris Moody, Science and Technology Advisor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
DAY 2, December 4, 2019: Water-Energy Nexus
- Overview of Water-Energy Nexus Challenges in Oman
Moderated by Dr. Jauad El Kharraz, Head of Research, MEDRC
- Sea water intake challenges in Oman: Solutions
Moderated by Dr. Mohammed Al Abri, Director, Nanotechnology Research Center & Associate Prof. College of Engineering, SQU
- Produced water and wastewater treatment challenges in Oman: Solutions
Moderator: Dr Syham Bentouati, Managing Director, NAFAS International LLC
- Desalination industry challenges (O&M & Training) in Oman: Solutions
Moderator Eng. Riadh Dridi, Head of Training, MEDRC
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