Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced the participation of 102 Chinese companies in the 21st Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX 2019), and 8 Chinese companies in the fourth Dubai Solar Show, which runs concurrently with WETEX, the region’s largest renewable and sustainable energy exhibition. Both exhibitions will be held under the umbrella of the sixth Green Week. WETEX is organised by DEWA under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and President of DEWA, from 21 – 23 October 2019, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA and Founder and Chairman of WETEX, expressed his happiness at the great turnout of Chinese companies in the exhibition. Pointing to the size of the Chinese pavilion at the exhibition, is more than 1,800 square metres. “Thanks to the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, WETEX has become a leading global platform that attracts major international companies working in these fields. The exhibition serves as an ideal platform to support local and global efforts achieve a balance between development and the environment and to consolidate economic, social and environmental sustainability. WETEX is a leading global platform that highlights the interrelationship between sustainability and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the impact of disruptive technologies, digital transformation, AI, R&D for the production of clean energy and water.” “DEWA has partnered with many Chinese companies in the fields of energy, who are participating in our projects. China’s extensive participation in WETEX is of paramount importance as they are the world’s largest investor in renewable energy. Similarly, WETEX and the Dubai Solar Show promote clean and renewable energy projects in the UAE and the region. Furthermore, the exhibition provides an ideal platform for companies to promote their technologies and projects and showcase their latest solutions in renewable energy, water and environment, rationalisation of consumption and environmental protection, while also enabling them to meet and interact with decision-makers, experts, investors, buyers and interested people from around the world to build partnerships and identify the needs of the market and current and future projects,” added Al Tayer.
This year, participating Chinese companies will showcase their research, products and technologies related to environmental protection, water treatment, purification, drainage and storage, water desalination, rationalisation of water meters, solar energy, wind power, automation, active carbon, molten glass, reverse osmosis, ultraviolet technologies, latest updates on motors, valves, hoses, and many more. China has been investing heavily in renewable energy projects, pledging to invest USD 373 billion in renewable energy generation in the current and next year.
The UAE is China’s second-largest trade partner in the world and its largest Arab trade partner. UAE accounts for 23 per cent of the volume of Arab trade with China, as well as about 60 per cent of Chinese trade, re-exported through the ports of more than 400 cities in the Middle East and North Africa. The statistics also show that there are currently more than 4,200 Chinese companies operating in the country, with 2500 Chinese registered trademarks, and 356 Chinese commercial agencies. Around 300,000 Chinese citizens work and live in the UAE, according to 2017 statistics. Both countries have mutual investments, supporting sustainable development in renewable energy and green economy. In addition, these partnerships also span industry, culture, renewable energy and SMEs, innovation, health, education, tourism, aerospace and aviation, infrastructure, financial services, information and communications technology, higher technology, space and artificial intelligence, smart cities, medicine and wellness tourism. Besides, 25 agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) bind the two countries in the fields of education and scientific research.