China is the fourth world´s water source but, due to its large population, hydric resources per capita are 2.200 m3 one of the countries with the least proportion, to be specific, the 88th in the world, nevertheless with a quarter of the world´s resources per capita. Due to its condition as a developing country, China has sacrificed its environment in favour of a rapid growth, which has resulted in a worse quality of its waters. For example, today, the percentage of water that the country´s industry recycles is only 65% compared to the 85% of other developed economies. This means that at present 75% of the Chinese lakes are considerably polluted as well as half of the subterranean water in urban areas.
This situation brings out very important losses (around 36.200milion USD/year ) and therefore a slow down of economic growth. The Central Government is more and more concerned with this situation . In the 10th and 11th five-yearly plans the necessity was emphasized of a sustainable development and ecologic conservation. Investments, both in sewage treatment and solid waste have been growing up in very high rates and PIB participation is every day greater. Some provinces as Guandong, economic motor of South China, have launched very ambitions environmental projects with many incentives to promote the private area participation. Also, many cities with limited water problems are doing projects to improve its quality.
Spanish companies in the water processing area have invoiced in Spain around 4.000 million € in the last 4 years ( in drinkable water, purification and desalination systems ) and many of them count with international projects in South America, the Magreb and Middle East mainly. Even though late, Spanish companies are disembarking in China , having , the most important of them, representation offices. Several projects have been carried out and investments were done in most of them by favourable loans of the Spanish Government. The Spanish Government commitment for the construction of desalinating platforms has converted Spanish enterprises in technological leaders in this sector, favouring the execution of projects in countries with limited hydric resources.
CHEIC regarding to water processing projects, views a clear opportunity for chinese and spanish companies to collaborate. Spain has the appropriate technology and experience and Chinese authorities are making a clear commitment to improve the water quality for domestic or industrial use and also for re-use. Both through our office in Pekín and our collaborators we provide a direct assistance to companies with projects launched by Chinese municipalities, that are executed through investments by the BOT model and financed with credits in very advantageous conditions by Spanish governments.
