US firms see opportunities in PH infrastructure sector

The Philippines has been identified by American companies as having one of the rapidly expanding infrastructure markets in the Asean, presenting huge opportunities particularly for large construction projects.

The country will thus be one of the three Asean countries to be visited by a Water Infrastructure Business Development mission from the United States, according to the International Trade Administration (ITA).

“The United States Department of Commerce ITA is organizing a Water Infrastructure Business Development Mission to Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines. These countries are part of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean),  a region that received over $78 billion of merchandise exports from the United States in 2014,” the ITA notice read.

Citing the water infrastructure situations in these countries, the trade agency said water demand in Singapore was about 1.4 million cu meters daily but domestic resources meet only about 50 percent of it.

In Vietnam, a top government priority has been the proper treatment of wastewater, which is currently untreated and discharged directly to the environment, it said.

In the Philippines, it said a growing population of over 100 million offers opportunities in several large construction projects.

These situations showed there were a number of opportunities in all areas of water infrastructure, including advanced filtration, biological treatment technology, drainage pipes and systems, engineering and construction, membrane filtration, monitoring equipment, operations services, pipes, pumps, and valves, plumbing and system materials, and water treatment technologies.

Participants in the said delegation, to be led by an executive from the US Department of Commerce, are expected to be introduced to the water infrastructure markets in these three countries and meet with government leaders, potential partners, distributors and end users through customized  one-on-one meetings and networking events.

US firms are also expected to “gain insights, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies and advance specific technologies,” during these meetings.