German Companies expand their African Footprint at Pumps, Valves and Pipes Africa 2011
The Southern-African German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the German-African Business Association will jointly host a pavilion at the Pumps, Valves and Pipes Africa 2011 Exhibition. The show takes place from 7 to 9 June at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Gauteng.
As well as showcasing the latest technologies and innovations that German exhibitors have to offer, the German pavilion is aligned to the objectives of the German Water Partnership (GWP). GWP is an expertise network of the German water industry, science and politics, and provides a central platform for all international requests for this knowhow. GWP’s aim is to contribute to achieving water-related UN Millennium Development Goals. One of these goals is to halve the number of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water by 2015. Currently, 1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water and 2.4 billion people lack adequate sanitation.
To achieve it, some form of improved water supply must be made accessible to an additional 1.5 billion people by 2015. This is equal to an additional 100 million people each year, or 274 000 people per day, until 2015.
The African Water Association (AfWA), an organisation that represents over 100 water and sanitation utilities from 40 countries across Africa, has endorsed the Pumps Valves & Pipes Africa exhibition and conference, where it will highlight current and future challenges to water security in Africa.
AfWA’s mission is to facilitate the exchange of information between water, sanitation and environmental sectors, and coordinate knowledge acquisition and systems improvement amongst its members. It also promotes cooperation between professionals in the sector both in Africa and abroad.
“The most important issues in Africa are to improve water policy management, clarify a definition and domain for the private sector and source new funding to modernise water infrastructure,” says AfWA secretary-general Sylvain Usher. “There is also a severe skills shortage, particularly in management, long-term strategic planning and financial management. What Africa needs is a holistic approach to issues in the drinking water and sanitation service industry.” These and other issues will be addressed at Pumps Valves & Pipes Africa.
A wide variety of products from Germany will be showcased at the exhibition, including RITZ, which has been manufacturing pumps for more than 130 years.
The company has vast technical knowhow and can offer solutions for any pump application. LVSA is a leading distributer of German-made valve products in Africa, with over 850 valve types available for any requirement. Sera DoseTech South Africa, a branch of Sera GmbH Germany, offers a wide range of precision metering pumps and accessories, including its new ‘Plug-&-Dose’ range of controllable metering pumps.
“This expo will offer visitors full access to many liquid and gas associations, manufacturers, retailers and consumers looking for a competitive edge,” explains Matthias Boddenberg, CEO of the Chamber.
Says John Thomson, Managing Director of Exhibition Management Services, organisers of WaterTec Africa 2011: “There needs to be substantial investment in water and sanitation infrastructure, increased protection of water catchments to safeguard long-term water supplies, and strategies to fight corruption in the water sector. Our event aims to address these issues through partnerships with these organisations, and others, such as AfWA.”
German Expertise Partners for Development
“Our services are dedicated to opening new markets and accessing opportunities in Africa and beyond,” says Shaan Padayachy, Assistant Trade Fairs Services, Southern-African German Chamber of Commerce. According to Padayachy, exports from South Africa to Germany have increased by over 11% from €3.94-billion in 2009, to €4.38-billion by October/November 2010. Imports from Germany to South Africa have also grown by over 12% from €5.70-billion in 2009, to €6.55-billion according to the October/November 2010 figures.
Germany is committed to numerous water sustainability projects in Africa, and is one of the biggest bilateral donors worldwide. According to Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, former Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development in Germany, 40% of the more than €450-million allocated to countries in need of aid every year goes to Africa.
German companies are active in Kenya, Tanzania, Congo and others, in trans-border water management and sewage systems construction. The Congo catchment, which has an area of 3 700 000 km2, is a lifeline to nine countries but grossly underdeveloped. This is one example of the many growth opportunities available in Africa.
catherine@cvlc.co.za
www.clvc.co.za
